Ahmedabad India - Ahmedabad News, Hotels, Flights, History Information Gujarat

Bus Rapid Transit System in Ahmedabad to get climate control

2009-12-08T15:20:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: Oh, it's cool! That is what you will most probably be saying when you hop on to a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) bus in January. The Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL) has plans to introduce air-conditioned BRTS buses by January when the winter chill starts fading.

To add to an already impressive level of luxury in a BRTS service, the AJL has placed an order to buy 20 AC buses with the Ashok Leylands. The company was supposed to show a proto-type bus with required floor height and other specifics by November-end but it has reportedly failed to prepare one such bus.

"This has pushed back our plans for the launch of AC buses. There has been a great demand for AC buses as people who usually travel in car are likely to be using the BRTS service. We hope to see a proto-type bus in a week's time. If that happens, we will receive some of the AC buses by January next year," said a senior AJL official.

While a section of people in AMC wants the AJL to start the AC bus service as soon as possible, others seem to believe that it may be a little too early to start an AC bus in the winter.

"While we expect to get at least some AC buses by January, we are still pondering over whether commuters will be keen to travel by AC buses during the winter. We don't want a lukewarm response to our AC bus services initially as it will cause losses," said another senior official. AJL officials have already said the fare of AC buses would be higher.

The AJL was apparently in a hurry to start AC bus services as there was a high demand for it. Regular commuters had suggested that AC buses would pull more crowd. The AJL, which is mulling the idea to extend the BRTS till Kankaria by mega Kankaria Carnival, also wanted to launch the AC bus service by that time. However, the plan has now been pushed back as the AJL is yet to check out the proto-type bus.

Source: DnaIndia

Driver steers burning truck, saves scores of lives in Ahmedabad

2009-12-08T15:14:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: It isn't often that people manage to keep their cool and think clearly in the face of grave danger. But the driver of a petrol tanker did the same and in the process avoided a catastrophe that could have killed many people.

The driver drove the tanker out of a petrol pump to the main road after he realised that the vehicle was on fire. The incident happened at a petrol pump located near Vishala circle when the Bharat Petroleum tanker with a capacity of 12,000 litres was pouring petrol into an underground tank of the petrol pump.

Sources said that the tanker had already pumped in 4,000 litres of petrol pump into the tank, when the driver of the tanker saw a spark in the rear of the tanker. Soon the tanker caught fire.

As the fire spread three rickshaws and a Maruti car in the vicinity also caught fire following which a pandemonium ensued.But the driver unmindful of the danger he was in drove the vehicle to the main road to prevent the fire from spreading within the petrol pump. Within minutes 35 personnel of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) reached the spot.Five AFES tankers and two fire fighters also reached the spot.
Chief fire officer MF Dastoor said that the top of the petrol tanker had been kept open because of which the fire did not claim any lives.

It took the fire brigade around an hour to control the fire. Sources said that petrol was being sold to vehicles even when the underground tank was being filled up by the tanker.

This is a violation of rules.

Source: DnaIndia

Job fair in Ahmedabad provides differently abled a level playing field

2009-12-08T14:56:00.001+05:30

Ahmedabad: Amdavadis will be witnessing a unique job fair on Tuesday when the differently-abled people of Gujarat will participate in a job fair exclusively for the disabled. The fair, to be held at Blind People's Association, will begin at 11 am.

At the end of the fair on Tuesday, over 300 people with low vision or hearing impairment or mild mental retardation and other physical disabilities will go back home with jobs such as housekeepers, helpers, office assistants and other unskilled positions in leading corporate houses.

"I am excited about the job fair. This will provide me a chance to become independent," says Shivani Sheth, a job aspirant who is hearing impaired.

Of about 10 lakh disabled population of Gujarat, about 2 lakh are literate and looking for jobs. "I have been on a job hunt for quite some time, but to no avail. I expect this job fair to provide me with the opportunity I have been looking for" says Jenil Shah, who lost her legs to polio.

The event will see the participation of big names in the corporate world such as Lemon Tree, Veera Solutions, Safal Parivesh, Deisgnmac, Dairyden, Electro Services, Designmate Animation Films, Downey AV India Advisor limited, Skin Info Technology, Marketing Unlimited, Mr Thomas Electro Services.

A recent study carried out in the state by WHO says that 60 million disabled people in India are subject to multiple deprivations. Households with disabled members are significantly poorer, with lower consumption and fewer assets. Children living with disability are around four to five times less likely to be in school than Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste children, the study report said.

"We strongly believe that people with disability can contribute a lot to the economic and social development of the country, but due to lack of opportunities, disabled people hardly get employed," says Shelly Bapna, the event co-ordinator.

A team from Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (VRC) will also be present at the fair to train and counsel the candidates for the interview. BPA has been awarded by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for providing maximum job opportunities to the disabled in the state in 1982. "The event is an attempt to provide job platform to the disabled. We are overwhelmed by the responses from corporate houses. We plan to organise more such events in the coming days" Bapna adds.

Source: DnaIndia

“Instant Indian” is ready to make the frozen food category more exciting

2009-12-08T12:41:00.000+05:30

Neesa Agritech P Ltd (NAPL) is moving into frozen food category with the brand name of “Instant Indian”.

“NAPL has decided to look for new ways to drive value in the frozen ready to eat food category”, said Devesh Rastogi, business head of the Food Division. NAPL is the sister concern of Neesa Leisure Ltd (NLL) which is a fast growing company in the field of luxury hotels and resorts with flagship brand name “CAMBAY”. The authentic recipes of “Instant Indian” are already in vogue at restaurants of CAMBAY Hotels & Resorts and have created its own taste impact on food lovers.

NAPL has planned to launch all major category of the food i.e. Curries, Breads, Rice, Snacks & Desserts. “We are targeting Indian market as well as overseas ethnic market in US, UK & Gulf to harness the new consumer trend and to make the category more relevant and exciting for consumers and channel partners”, added Mr Sanjay Gupta, Group Chairman.

Initial product trials have got a good appreciation by the trendy consumers. Company is looking forward to create a good value preposition for channel partners as well as trendy consumers. Products are slated for market introduction by the starting of 2010.

Contact NAPL,

Neesa Agritech Pvt. Ltd.
Plot No. 279P, Pancharatna Industrial Estate
Changodar, Ahmedabad - 382213
India.
http://www.neesafoods.com

Elite Platinum Membership - Spa Treaments, Salon Services, Gym Programs, Pool and much More.

2009-12-07T16:27:00.001+05:30

Your Elite Program Platinum gives you the freedom to choose from an array of benefits like Spa Treaments, Salon Services, Gym Programs, Pool and much More. It’s the perfect dodrway to a luchriuos and healthy lifestyle – only at The Orient Spa & Cambay Resorts.

Soil testing for Ahmedabad Metro rail begins

2009-12-07T16:22:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Just days before the state government's Chintan Shibir was to begin in Kutch the Western Railways submitted a proposal to the state government agreeing to bear 50% of the costs to set up a feeder rail service for the Ahmedabad metro project.

The feeder rail service would carry passengers from surrounding areas of Ahmedabad to the main metro Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar trunk line.

This is indeed an adrenaline shot for the Gujarat government who till a few days ago had also agreed on a 50% partnership in the 99.65 Km kilometre metro rail project with the union urban development ministry--very much on the Chennai metro rail partnership model. The state government would submit a proposal to this effect very soon to the union giovernment

"Our proposal is only pending approval with the chief minister Narendra Modi. In fact the railways has cleared the proposal for the feeder service. Completely new railway lines would be laid for the feeder service and electric trains much like the Mumbai local trains customised for the metro," says a senior western railway official.

In fact a few days ago the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has engaged a Delhi based contractor to conduct soil testing at 47 locations on the 43.55Km Ahmedabad--Gandinagar link which is the North South corridor. While the East-west corridor includes the Kalupur railway junction and Thaltej link which is 9.83 Km. Since the entire metro project is an elevated system the soil testing becomes important.

"Most of the soils here are sandy silt with a little amount of gravel and are non-plastic' in nature. Chemical analysis of sulphates, chlorides and organic matter are being analysed in the soil. We are boring holes from anywhere between 18 metres to 30 metres deep to collect soil samples from different strata. The fact being that we have to analyse the safe load carrying capacity of the pillars since the metro is elevated for Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro," says a senior official of the urban development department.

The wholly-elevated metro rail project is expected to cost Rs 7,000 crore. The state government has recently set up a Rs 200-crore company for the execution of the project which is likely to be called Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA).

Source: TimesofIndia

AMC refuses renewal of CRUTA's contract on Heritage Walk

2009-12-07T16:21:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: A decade-old association of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Foundation for Conservation and Research of Urban Traditional Architecture (CRUTA) has come to an end. The AMC has discontinued association with the CRUTA Foundation run by

The AMC officials recently decided to cut off the contract with CRUTA foundation after its term ended. Against the proposed extension of two years, the AMC bosses preferred to give extension to CRUTA for only three months to manage the Heritage Walk.Meanwhile, the AMC seems to have roped in the Ahmedabad Heritage Foundation (AHF) - an initiative between the AMC and Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIHED) to manage the Heritage Walk.

As part of the World Heritage Week, the AMC and CRUTA have been conducting this Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad since November 19, 1997.

"According to the AMC bosses, CRUTA foundation is too slow in implementing new projects and has been displaying a clumsy approach to managing the heritage walk. We were anyways on the look out for some other agency to organise the Heritage Walk. We have received two proposals. We will finalise things soon," said a senior AMC official.

The AMC used to pay Rs1.5 lakh to the CRUTA foundation per annum. However, once the AMC ropes in the AHF, it will save a good amount of money as the AMC is also a partner in the organisation. But the AMC officials say Nayak would continue as an advisor to the AMC Heritage Cell.

The Heritage Walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends at the most glorious architectural legacies - the Jumma Masjid. It covers numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples.

The walk proceeds from Kavi Dalpatram Chowk, which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet in Lambeshwar ni Pol, and moves on to the Calico Dome and the century-old Kala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni Pol.

to manage Heritage Walk in the walled city.

The AMC officials recently decided to cut off the contract with CRUTA foundation after its term ended. Against the proposed extension of two years, the AMC bosses preferred to give extension to CRUTA for only three months to manage the Heritage Walk.Meanwhile, the AMC seems to have roped in the Ahmedabad Heritage Foundation (AHF) - an initiative between the AMC and Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIHED) to manage the Heritage Walk.

As part of the World Heritage Week, the AMC and CRUTA have been conducting this Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad since November 19, 1997.

"According to the AMC bosses, CRUTA foundation is too slow in implementing new projects and has been displaying a clumsy approach to managing the heritage walk. We were anyways on the look out for some other agency to organise the Heritage Walk. We have received two proposals. We will finalise things soon," said a senior AMC official.

The AMC used to pay Rs1.5 lakh to the CRUTA foundation per annum. However, once the AMC ropes in the AHF, it will save a good amount of money as the AMC is also a partner in the organisation. But the AMC officials say Nayak would continue as an advisor to the AMC Heritage Cell.

The Heritage Walk begins from the picturesque Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur and ends at the most glorious architectural legacies - the Jumma Masjid. It covers numerous pols, havelis, ornamental facades, workplaces of artisans and number of magnificent Hindu and Jain temples.

The walk proceeds from Kavi Dalpatram Chowk, which housed the great 19th century Gujarati poet in Lambeshwar ni Pol, and moves on to the Calico Dome and the century-old Kala Ramji Mandir in the Haja Patel ni Pol.

Source: DnaIndia

Eat, shop and dine free of cost

2009-12-07T16:16:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Eyeing the blue rugged jeans and checking the fit of the newly-arrived branded tees, he could be any affluent shopper on CG Road. But on weekends, this 21-year-old casually dressed mystery shopper' is a man on a mission to observe and analyze every aspect of the provided service at a posh showroom selling famous brands.

Kalp, 22, (who prefers not to reveal his last name) is one of hundreds of consumers who have turned his passion for shopping into a part-time job. Many youths see this as a great source of making an extra buck.

So, eat, shop and dine without spending a penny from your pocket. "The company hires you to enter any assigned outlet as an ordinary customer, and report to them about the findings and provided services in a detailed manner. This is through an exhaustive questionnaire about the experience, " says Kalp.

He has earned more than Rs 12,000 in last six months as a mystery shopper' at branded apparel stores, food joints, automobile and mobile shops.

Marketing research companies having retail stores, automobile companies, food chains, apparel stores as clients are hiring these mystery shoppers to get a honest feedback on their services.

And now these shoppers are the eyes and ears of corporate house to keep a check on their services. Professor of marketing and chairperson, centre of retailing, at Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), says, "Mystery shopping is a marketing research technique where customers visit shops and evaluate their services without letting them know about it."

Another mystery shopper, Aventa says, "Initially, I got hooked on it for fun but now I am making a quick buck. Most importantly, it is also a learning experience as it teaches business research methodology to management students like me."

Aventa is doing mystery shopping for the last nine months and most people like him are getting to know about this through word-of-mouth publicity. Mystery shoppers have to mentally jot down waiting time, behaviour and knowledge of sales associates about the merchandise, among others.

But, these mystery shoppers are also not sent to the same place for a limited time period.

Source: TimesofIndia

No temple entry for dalits in Gujarat

2009-12-07T14:37:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Sunday was Dr B R Ambedkar’s death anniversary, ‘Nirwan Diwas’ as Dalits call it. And we hate to be doing this. But the bubble of a Vibrant Gujarat needs a prick in the bottom. At the lowest level of the society, Gujarat is not happy. Untouchability still exists in various forms in Gujarat.

In a first-of-its-kind study on a large scale, representing 98,000 Dalits across 1,655 villages in Gujarat. it comes out that 97 % respondents feel they have ‘no entry’ at certain places in their own villages, including a temple or where a religious ceremony is taking place.

Mahatma Gandhi himself wrote about the problem of untouchability in Gujarat when he set about establishing a base in Ahmedabad. He said in his writings that when he insisted on keeping a Dalit (‘Harijan’ as he insisted on calling them) in his ashram here, people started shying away. Even sponsors developed cold feet and funds started drying up. Bapu put his foot down and had his way.

Almost 95 years later, Gujarat is still not listening to the Mahatma even as the world tuned in. The bar for Dalits is felt at not only temples but also ‘satsangs’ and ‘kathas’. At these religious events, not being able to sit on a cot/chair with other upper castes, has been clearly established as a sign of untouchability.

The study has been carried out by Ahmedabad-based Navsarjan Trust with three US-based organisations — the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, Dartmouth College at the University of Michigan and Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Social Justice and Human Rights, Washington, DC.

“This is the first study on such a large sample size and we covered 99 forms of untouchability that are still practised in villages. There are 12,500 villages in Gujarat where Dalits live. We have covered 1,655 of these villages and around 11 per cent of the total Dalit population,’’ says Manjula Pradeep, director of Navsarjan Trust.

During the study, the researchers did not find a single village where no form of untouchability is practised, giving an unnerving idea about the extent of the problem in a state which is home to Mahatma Gandhi. Ahmedabad-based social scientist Prof Ghanshyam Shah, a retired professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, who has studied the problem of untouchability in detail, also assisted in the research.

Prof Shah says, “Dalits face untouchability at religious places the most because the concept of untouchability has been centered around religion and ‘purity’. It may seem for urban middle classes that many things have changed, but the ground reality is harsh till today.’’

Source: TimesofIndia

Pushya Nakshatra - Six December

2009-12-05T15:20:00.001+05:30

Pushya, or Pushyami or Pusya, is one among the 27 nakshatras and the day Pushya Nakshatra falls is considered highly auspicious for beginning new ventures, investments and purchases. Today, Pushya Nakshatra is the ideal day for many people for buying Gold and Jewellery. According to Hindu astrology, the favorable alignment of the stars on Pushya Nakshatra day results in prosperity, success and happiness. Here are the Pushya Nakshatra dates in 2009.

Significance of Pushya Nakshatra

Talk about Pushya Nakshatra and something that immediately comes to the mind is gold. The significance of the day is the favorable alignment of astrological stars, which is considered special for beginning new ventures and purchases. When Pushya Nakshatra falls on a Thursday it is considered even more auspicious and it is referred as Guru Pushya Nakshatra. Timing for June 25th, 2009 Guru Pushya Yog is 03:07 to 15:29.
Pushya Nakshatra occurs several times in a year in the Hindu calendar. Most people opt for Gurupushya Nakshatra day and ignore the normal days.

According to Hindu astrological beliefs the favorable alignment of the stars on this Pushya Nakshatra day results in prosperity, success and happiness. Therefore it is considered to be the most auspicious day in a year to make investments and purchases.

Thanks to the effective campaign conducted by Jewellery shops, Pushya Nakshatra day for many means the right day in the Hindu calendar to buy gold ornaments. In India, gold is still considered to be an ideal investment and many people make it a point to purchase gold, gems and jewelry on this day.
Pushya means ‘to nourish’ and therefore a person can think beyond gold investment on this day. Nowadays there are several better opportunities of investment other than gold.

Other important days for buying gold in a year according to Hindu calendar are Akshaya Tritiya and Dhanteras.

Source: Hindu Blog

Desi rock, videshi istyle

2009-12-05T14:54:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Many might consider rock music a western affair, but youth have given it a desi tadka'. The auditions taking place in the city for a rock band competition on Friday had 21 entries from across the country of bands who performed on original tracks, written and composed by them, many of which were in Hindi.

Be it the spirit of independence or the message of non-violence, the bands performing were not a mere bunch of young people out to have fun.

The auditions were happening for Rock Parva, a concert launched by an event management company. At the end of the auditions, seven bands were selected Manefus from Vadodara, Sweetblame, On Second Thought and Meghdhanoosh from Ahmedabad, Highway 61 from Pune, Raid from Anand and Wranglers from Kolkata.

"These bands will be groomed on how to perform on stage, what to wear, styling and conduct. The grooming will be done by seasoned people from the industry and the seven will perform for Agnee, a popular rock band, who will judge them. The winning band will a get a chance to open the rock show of Agnee that is happening on December 20," said Nupoor Dwivwdi, one of the organisers.

Balancing board exams and passion for rock
The youngest participants at the competition were a group of friends from Hiramani School. These students of class XII balance time between board exams and their common passion of music. Ashwin Naidu, lead singer of the band and his two friends Priyam Gadhvi and Sarthak Malani have been playing together for over two years. But, it was only in March 2009 that they gave their first public performance and even won a competition at IIT-Gandhinagar.

The trio plays punk rock and among their favourite bands is American band Blink 182. "In the last nine months since the band was born, we participated in four to five competitions in Ahmedabad and Vadodara," said Naidu.

"Their passion keeps them going. The trio practises six days a week for two hours every day in the jam room that Ashwin has created in his basement. The band is soon going to release a mini-album with four tracks. They want to finish studies and take up music full time," said their manager Pyro Kilmister.

Source: TimesofIndia

Gujarat beats India in GDP race

2009-12-05T14:51:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: It's official now. Gujarat is growing at a rate much faster than the country's average.

During the 10th five-year plan (2002-07), the state's gross state domestic product (GSDP) posted a growth of 10.6%, well ahead of the county's overall growth of 7.7%. It is also much higher than the growth rate of other 'developed' states.

What's more, the state's sustained its growth rate even in 2007-08, the first year of the 11th five-year plan. Gujarat's GSDP grew at 12.8% in 2007-08, and was second only to Karnataka's whose growth rate is marginally higher at 12.9%.

In terms of the GSDP growth achieved during the 10th five-year plan, Gujarat ranks third in the country, notably after smaller states such as Jharkhand at 11.1% and Manipur at 11.6%. Significantly, the actual achieved GSDP in both the plans is well ahead of the 10.2% target set for Gujarat in the 10th five-year plan and 11.2% in the 11th plan.

This data was released in the Rajya Sabha by Union minister of state for planning and parliamentary affairs V Narayanswami, in response to a question raised by Jharkhand MP, Parimal Nathwani. Significantly, for the period of the 10th five-year plan (2002-07), Andhra Pradesh posted a growth rate of 6.7%; Maharashtra 7.9%; Karnataka 7%; Tamil Nadu 6.6% and West Bengal of 6.1%.

But in 2007-08, when India grew at 9%, Andhra Pradesh grew at 10.6%. "The data indicates that Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the growth engines of the country," says economist and faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Ravindra Dholakia.

Source: DnaIndia

Arvind Mills weighs direct selling plans

2009-12-05T14:50:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: In October, Arvind Mills chairman Sanjay Lalbhai posed a question to a select audience at a textile conference in Ahmedabad. “Why can’t there be an Infosys in the textiles sector?” He was referring to absence of fast-track companies with high-growth figures in the sector.

Two months later, the Rs 2,800-crore group is walking the talk. The benchmark however, is different—instead of the IT major, it’s now Hindustan Unilever.

The 80-year-old company has charted out an aggressive growth strategy targeted at the rural markets. The focus is on direct selling to consumers, a model which is still nascent in India, at 4-5%, as against 70% penetration in mature markets.

The Ahmedabad-based textiles major that took to denims in the eighties and is today the world’s largest denims producer will go back to where it began in terms of products - fabrics - and venture out to places where it has never been before - rural markets.

“Why can’t we sell a shirt at a pan shop in a village,” asks Kulin Lalbhai, the youngest son of group’s chairman, who is the chief manager of Arvind Retail. The question has set the pace for the group that re-looks at it’s shirting business with product innovation and rural marketing focus. The company will bring out products with special finish and blends for ethnic wear for both men and women. For example, a saree will have the look and feel of silk, but will be made of non-silk material. Similarly, a shirt will retain its texture even after 30-40 washes.

From January, the company will adopt the pack model and start retailing smaller packs containing 12 shirt pieces, a major departure from the 16-metre rolls. The attempt is to lower the risk for the retailer and allow him more space to showcase products. “Shirting is a sustainable domestic story as India is growing at a much faster rate. There is no forex risk attached and the segment is immune to global slowdown,” says Kulin who feels the B2C model will grow 50-60% y-o-y, much higher than it’s denim business that has been growing at 20-25%. Besides, price sensitivity in this model is less compared to B2B,” says the youngest Lalbhai, who is also eyeing the suitings segment.

Arvind returned to the black in the first quarter of FY10 and posted a net profit of Rs 15 crore in the second quarter on the back of a strong domestic push. It has now identified fabric retail as the new growth area and expects to take its sales from Rs 110 crore to Rs 200 crore by the end of the current fiscal.

Source: TimesofIndia

Killer buses mow down 13 in five months

2009-12-05T14:49:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: The figures accessed by DNA from the Ahmedabad city police department show that in the past five months, 403 accidents by city buseswere reported, in which 13 people died. As against this, 973 accidents were reported in the period between April-August 2008, which resulted inthe death of 29 people.

While 197 accidents were caused by the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport System (AMTS) buses, private CNG buses met with 206 accidents in the past five months. Figures also show that between April and March 2008, 486 accidents were met by AMTS buses, causing the death of 8 people, while 487 accidents by private buses were registered and 11 people were reported dead in the mishaps.

This means that in over a year's time, around 1,376 accidents have been reported and 42 victims were reported dead. It is worth noting that there are three major accident points in the city, Ashram road, Nava Vadaj road and Ranip. The traffic department officials are now keeping vigil at all important routes to avert any mishaps.

Meanwhile, when contacted, chairman of the AMTS, Pravin Patel, said they will take strict action against drivers to avoid further accidents. "If the accident is fatal, we immediately remove the driver from the job. If the driver is hired by private contractor we make sure that he is removed," said Patel. Even if the accident is minor, private contractor is warned of rustication of contract if they do not train their drivers properly, he said.

However, Patel admitted the fact that there is a loophole in the system. "We cannot ensure that the driver who is sacked (from one contractor) does not get a job with another contractor. But we will start ensuring that soon," added Patel.

Source: DnaIndia

Terror threat derails Vaghela's Dec 6 rally

2009-12-05T14:46:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: A rally planned in Ahmedabad, on December 6, that was expected to draw about 1 lakh participants -- and Shankersinh Vaghela as the star speaker -- has been scrapped by the government, apparently owing to a terror threat.

According to the joint commissioner of police, sector 1, Satish Sharma, the Ahmedabad police have received a specific intelligence input that warned of an attack on that very day. Sharma said that the police have cancelled all public meetings planned for that day.

On December 6, throngs supporting the Gujarat State Employees Co-ordination committee were to join the masses supporting the Prabudh Nagarik Shakti Manch at Darpan Crossing.Vaghela, who was scheduled to address the gathering at Darpan Crossing, has said that the terror threat was no more than a political gimmick orchestrated by the Modi government. "The terror threat is greater in Kutch, which is closer to Pakistan than Ahmedabad," Vaghela said. "This is the Modi government's terrorism against democracy. We will do what we had planned, the government can do what they want."

Source: DnaIndia

Booking community halls just a click away in Ahmedabad

2009-12-05T14:44:00.002+05:30

Ahmedabad: The AMC is planning to implement common booking system for AMC-owned party plots and community halls starting from January 1, 2010. This system will help the civic body solve the grievances of the citizen and give them easy access to information about availability of such halls.

Under the new system a party can approach the civic centre and get the hall booked. Moreover bookings can also be done online under the new system. Under the present system, the booking is conducted at one particular place.

All information pertaining to the booking is also available at the same place and that too during office hours. With implementation of the new system, citizens will not be required to physically visit the booking office. They can get all the information through internet or at their respective civic centre.

They will also be able to know online the booking status of an AMC-owned community hall for the next four months. They can download the application form from the website or get it from the civic center.In case, there is more than one applicant, a draw will be conducted at 5 pm on the same day.

The AMC had received complaints of favouritism in hall booking system, which could be curbed by the new system.

Source: Dnaindia

Govt to step up pharma research in country

2009-12-04T09:58:00.001+05:30

The government has decided to adopt a two-pronged approach to step up the pace of pharmaceutical research in the country. This will include tie-ups with reputed overseas universities for collaborative research and education programmes, as well as setting up innovation centres at the six new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Nipers), which are proposed to be set up.

One Niper is already up and running at Mohali, under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. This institute is in advanced talks with the Imperial College of London, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University of Wales, UK and the Emiline University in the US for initiating short-term courses and for initiating collaborative research, according to Ashok Kumar, secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.

"Our role will be that of a facilitator to create more human capital for the industry as part of the vision to make the Indian pharmaceutical industry a $50-billion (over Rs 2,31,000-crore) sector within five years from the current $20 billion (over Rs 92,000 crore)," Kumar said on the sidelines of the India Pharma Summit organised recently by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Niper, Mohali has already tied up with the University of Helsinki, Finland for collaborative research programmes in association with Systems Biologics Worldwide and with Genzyme, one of the world's largest biotechnology companies, for two fellowship programmes in biotechnology.

The centre trains about 500 professionals every year in advanced pharmaceutical courses and the proposed six new Nipers coming up at Ahmedabad, Hajipur, Hyderabad, Calcutta, Rai Bareilli and Guwahati will train 3,500-4,000 professionals every year, according to Arun Jha and Devendra Chaudhary, joint secretaries, Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The two Nipers at Ahmedabad and Hyderabad will have incubation centres in translational research, while a medical devices centre will come up at Niper, Ahmedabad. An innovation centre for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) will be set up at the Hyderabad arm of Niper and an innovation centre for herbal medicines will come up at Hajipur, the officials said.

Retail expansion
Kumar also said the government was planning to increase the number of generic drug stores promoted by the government — dubbed 'Jan Aushadhi' — from the current 40 to 200 across the country by March 2010. Currently, public sector companies offer drugs for these stores. Another 126 private pharma companies have shown an interest in supplying drugs to these stores.

Once the number of stores increases, private sector companies are likely to supply drugs in large quantities, he said. The 'Jan Aushadhi' campaign, started in November 2008, offers quality medicines at affordable prices to the public.

The new pharmaceutical policy of 2006, which has provisions to control the prices of medicines, is pending clearance with a new Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikant Kumar Jena said the EGoM is likely to meet soon.

Source: Business Standard

Oil-pilferage scam: Accused cops on tenterhooks

2009-12-04T09:55:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Police officials accused in the oil theft scam may be penalised with transfers to non-executive posts. A total of 21 cops, including four IPS officers, have been accused of playing a key role in the multi-crore scam of oil pilferage from underground pipelines.

CID (Crime), which is investigating the case, has recommended that the tainted' cops be relegated to unimportant' posts. A report on CID's investigation containing this stark recommendation has been sent to the director general of police (DGP).

News of this report has already put all the accused cops on tenterhooks. DGP has on his part said that just shifting them to non-executive posts will not suffice, the accused police officers should be subjected to inquiry and suitable disciplinary action should be initiated if they are found guilty.

"All the police officers accused in the scam now hold prime posts across the state. It all began with the arrest of Indravadan Patel alias Bodo near Sanand in October this year. Patel was caught pilfering oil from IOC's underground pipeline," said a CID (Crime) investigator.

CID (Crime) has also set up a cell to investigate this scam as its magnanimity was gradually increasing. This cell grilled Patel who not only revealed about the scam's network, but also pointed accusatory fingers at several senior cops posted in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts.

Based on investigations conducted till date, the CID recently submitted a report to the DGP. The DGP has asked them to take the case to the logical end.

A similar case of oil theft is being investigated by inspector general of police (IGP) Satish Sharma, who has begun recording statements of the accused cops.

Sources said that after Sharma finishes recording their statement, CID officials too will call the same cops for questioning.

The accused officials are now spending sleepless nights, caught between two investigating agencies. As Sharma and CID are investigating on the same lines. "It is quite possible that they might be arrested any day," said a senior official.

Source: TimesofIndia

MICA's theatre fest completes a decade

2009-12-04T09:51:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: Students of Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA) promise to bring out the actor in them at the annual theatre festival Sankalp 2009, which opens on Friday.

This is the only time in the year when students of the institute prepare a show for the city and perform at Natrani. This year, which is the 10th anniversary of the festival, team Sankalp will be performing an adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar's critically acclaimed play Silence! The court is in session' on Friday and Saturday.

"A political and social satire, it is a play within a play with focus on middle class society's hypocrisy. It deals with the perceptions of a group of farcical, petty, self-righteous individuals about a 34-year-old, unmarried woman. Although it initially deals with the pettiness and pretentiousness of the people involved with hilarious consequences, the denouement of the play brings out the helplessness of the victim. She is torn down by the hidden mesh of society as characterized by her theatrical antagonists," said Neha Vyas, one of the two directors of the play.

This year for the first time, the students will also perform in Delhi. "Sankalp is a student-run initiative and proceeds from ticket sales are donated to a girl child education fund. The money is used for the education of economically-challenged girl students of Telav, Shela and Ghuma villages," said Gaurav Banerjee, the other student director.

Sankalp was founded by Karthik Kumar and Sunil Vishnu, who had directed the first play of the festival when they were students at the institute in 1999. Over the years, Sankalp has performed plays such as Girish Karnad's Tuglaq', Hayavadana' and Sacrifice', Vijay Tendulkar's Encounter in Umbugland', Dharmavir Bharti's Suraj Ka Satwan Ghoda' and Woody Allen's Death'.

Source: TimesofIndia

Ahmedabad Janmarg BRTS brings honour to Gujarat

2009-12-04T09:49:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: It is a matter of pride for Ahmedabad. Not only because the government of India conferred on it the Best Mass Rapid Transit System in India award for the Janmarg Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on Thursday, but also because it is a historic and path guiding city to introduce the first modern, intra-city transport system at a time when the emphasis is on rail metro project.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday gave away the award to Ahmedabad city Mayor Kanaji Thakore and municipal commissioner IP Gautam, at a function organised at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi.

Minister for urban development Nitin Patel and principal secretary, urban development Gauri Kumar were also present on the occasion.

Gautam told DNA that the success of Janmarg BRTS and even the award is 'by the people and for the people'. "The strategy of Ahmedabad transport is people centric. It is focused on moving people and not traffic. We believe that all people, men and women, young and old and physically challenged should be able to move around in city with comfort. Efficiency, affordability, safety and security are central to the plan. It is to emphasise this that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has named the system 'Janmarg'," said Gautam.

Gautam saidAhmedabad has become a trendsetter by introducing BRTS, which is a cheaper than a metro rail and equally efficient.

Ahmedabad had sent in its entry to bag nomination in the category of Mass Rapid Transit System award. A committee headed by former secretary in ministry of urban transport system, Anil Baijal, inspected progress and implementation of all nominees in the award race. The BRTS projects in Pune and Ahmedabad were approved when Baijal was secretary in ministry of urban transport.

Shivanand Swamy, chief planner of the Janmarg BRTS in Ahmedabad, said it was a challenge to implement the BRTS project on a 12.5 km stretch from RTO to Pirana in just two year's time (the execution of the first stretch from RTO to Pirana began in 2007).

"But it feels great when we see 23,000 to 25,000 people commuting in Janmarg BRTS everyday. Janmarg BRTS is designed keeping in mind the requirement of Amdavadis," said Swamy. BRTS earned Rs1.10 lakh a day even before completing two months to launch.

Source: DnaIndia

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2009-12-02T15:35:00.000+05:30

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Ahmedabad-Mumbai rail traffic hit

2009-12-02T12:59:00.000+05:30

BHARUCH: The rail traffic on Ahmedabad-Mumbai route was badly affected and hundreds of daily commuters were stranded on railway stations for over three hours due to a major break down on Tuesday in Over Head Equipment (OHE) wire near Bharuch railway yard.

Western Railway maintenance department sources told TOI that the wire passing between Chavaj and Bharuch railway stations fell after Vadodara - Bhilad Express had passed. "Luckily the wire fell on a deserted place and a tragedy was averted," they said. The wire snapped at about 8.30 am following which at least nine superfast, express and passenger trains going towards Mumbai on down track were rescheduled. The repairing vessel of the Western Railway replaced the whole wire on Bharuch yard after some time.

AK Shrivastav, divisional railway manager, Western Railways, said, "Generally we check the strength of the OHE regularly. However, on Tuesday the wire got entangled with the engine of Bhilad Express and broke. We took three hours to replace the wire and until then the rail traffic on down track on Delhi- Mumbai route was affected."
The daily commuters going towards industrial towns like Ankleshwar and Vapi were the most hit. The rail traffic was restored after 12.30 pm.

Source: TimesofIndia

Bomb threat in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar; searches conducted

2009-12-02T12:58:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: Thorough searches were conducted in the State secretariat and assembly premises in Gandhinagar following an SMS that claimed bombs have been planted there and at other places including hospitals across the city, police said today.

Bomb disposal squad (BDS), dog squad and local police were sent to various locations for searches, and so far nothing incriminating has been found, they said. The searches are on at some places.

"An SMS was sent on the mobile phones of some police officers and the control room saying that there were bombs planted at different places in the city which would be blown up," JCP (sector 1) Satish Sharma, Ahmedabad, said.

"As it was a bomb threat, as a precautionary measure, we sent teams of police personnel to all locations mentioned in the SMS. The BDS and dog squad are also conducting searches at various places," he said. Sharma said that at most of the places searches were over and nothing was found.

"Now, we are trying to trace the who sent the SMS and from where. We will be able to locate it soon," he added.

In Gandhinagar, following the bomb threat, dog squad and police conducted searches at the secretariat which houses office of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and the assembly building, but found nothing, sources in the home department said. Modi is at present in Kutch district of state for the desert festival.

Source: DnaIndia

Is party over for 160 function plots?

2009-12-02T12:57:00.000+05:30

Ahmedabad: The fate of around 160 party plot owners in the city, who were served notices for illegal construction by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), is still undecided. There are around 50 party plots in the West Zone of the city, of which around 80 per cent are under green belt. These party plots could face problems as their plans might not get an approval. But all depends on the judgement of the apex court.

The civic body served notices to these party plot owners for not following stipulated rules and failing to keep aside 50 per cent of their area for parking purpose. The civic body gave a chance to present their sides to the party plot owners by conducting a hearing. In five zones of the city, except for the New West Zone, the hearing is complete and the deputy municipal commissioners of the respected zones are waiting for the order of the commissioner.

"We have completed the hearing, but the final call about the future course of action will betaken by the municipal commissioner," said UC Padia, deputy municipal commissioner of West Zone, who is also taking care of estate management and town planning department of the AMC.

According to a source in the AMC, nearly 80 per cent of the party plots in the West Zone come under the green belt and their revised plan was not approved because it was not in accordance with the rules. In fact, of the five party plots and marriage halls in the central zone of the AMC, only one was fortunate to have got a green signal to continue its operation. "The party plot and marriage hall owners have created additional space for parking on temporary basis, but that is not a solution. So only one or two managed to get permission to continue their operation," said IK Patel, deputy municipal commissioner of the Central Zone.

Interestingly, in the New West Zone of the city, only 25 per cent of the total 52 party plots have either approved plans or have the scope of their plans getting approved, the rest could have to face the problems as the area of the plots is less than 2,000 square yards. "We have yet to hear around 6-7 party plot owners," said MS Modia, deputy municipal commissioner of the New West Zone.

In the East Zone of the city, only half of the party plots are going to survive. "Till now, the hearing of 18 party plots has been conducted. But while nearly half of them have not met the standard criteria of the party plots, a couple of more have approved plans for residential purpose. They are asked to get their plans approved once again for the purpose of party plot failing which they will have to close down operation," said Captain Dilip Mahajan, deputy municipal commissioner of the East Zone of the city.

Source: DnaIndia

Bomb accused's bail application rejected

2009-12-02T12:55:00.000+05:30

AHMEDABAD: The special court, set up to hear the serial blast cases, on Tuesday rejected an application by an accused for regular bail on the ground that the act of terrorism was a very serious offence and the trial was about to commence in the case.

Designated judge Bela Trivedi declined the bail application of Mohammed Zakir Abdul Haq Shaikh of Thane in Maharashtra. Shaikh is one among the 60 persons arrested till date by Gujarat Police in connection with the bombings in the city on July 26, 2008.

Claiming innocence, Shaikh argued that the police have not been able to produce any evidence of their charge that a co-accused in the case Sadiq alias Yasir had passed on instructions to him with regard to terror attacks. He also contended that the police have not placed proof of their claims that he had participated in terror training camps held in Waghamon forests in Kerala and at other locations.

The Crime Branch has filed 66 chargesheets in connection with 20 FIRs lodged in relation to the Ahmedabad blasts that left 57 people dead. Besides this, the Surat crime branch too had also filed several chargesheets for 15 FIRs lodged in Surat in connection with 29 bombs found a day after the serial blast in Ahmedabad. None of these bombs went off due to technical reasons, and the police have arraigned all terror accused nabbed in bomb planting incidents in Surat.

Source: TimesofIndia