Indian Navy launches home-built stealth destroyer"INS Kochi".

*The Indian Navy Friday launched the country’s second indigenously built stealth warship INS Kochi.The 6,800-tonne destroyer,built by the Mazagaon Docks Ltd (MDL),was ceremoniously launched by Madhulika Verma, wife of Naval chief Admiral Nirmal Verma.

INS Kochi,the second destroyer of Project 15-A built by the MDL,is 163 metres long, encompasses state-of-the-art weapons, sensors,stealth features,an advanced action information system,sophisticated power distribution and other advanced features. The ship will also be fitted with advanced weapons systems that will include the supersonic surface-to-surface BrahMos missile, the Israeli ‘Barak’Long Range Surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) and the Multi-Function (Mfstar) radar system that would provide accurate data on surface and air targets.

It will also be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles in collaboration with the Defence Research Development Organisation,twin-tube torpedo launchers,anti-submarine rocket launchers and AK-630 rapid fire guns.

For the first time,MDL used ‘pontoon assisting launching method’ in collaboration with a Russian firm Baltizky Zavod.In this method,pontoons are welded to the hull, which gives buoyancy and helps overcome tidal constraints.The ship is expected to be ready for commissioning into the navy by 2012,preceded by the first warship of Project 15-A,INS Kolkata which will join the fleet next year.

MDL chairman and managing director Vice-Admiral (Retd) H.S. Malhi said the Project 15-A ships represent “a major landmark in show-casing India’s warship design and manufacturing capability”.

Earlier,Admiral Verma said the responsibilities of the navy have increased many folds after the 26/11 terror attacks and there is a need for unified command for coastal security....Jai Hind!

Leander Paes&Lukas Dlouhy Won US Open Men's Double

*Leander Paes and Czech Dlouhy scripted a 3-6,6-3,6-2 win in the men’s doubles final over Bhupathi and his Bahamian partner.

The match was heading for a straight-set wash out for Bhupathi and Knowles but Paes enlivened the match with his inspiring play and changed the complexion of the game.

His sparkling play infused life into the match and Dlouhy complemented him well to emerge winners after a confidence shaking first set lapse.

For Paes it is his fifth men's doubles Grand Slam crown,41st overall, and second with Dlouhy.It was also second title of the year for the seasoned Paes, who won French Open in June along with Dlouhy.

The defeat for Bhupathi means that he has not won a men's doubles Grand Slam crown in seven years. Interestingly, his last victory came at the US Open only when he triumphed with Max Mirnyi in 2002.

He had won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza at the start of the season.Bhupathi and Knowles made a spiffing start by opening up a 2-0 lead after breaking Paes in the second game but their rivals retaliated by breaking the Bahamian in the third.

Paes' backhand slice return off Knowles' service earned them a breakpoint which they converted when the Indian fired a volley between their rivals, making the score 2-2.Paes dropped his serve again in the sixth game but Knowles this time made amends and held his serve in the next to earn a 5-2 cushion.

Bhupathi, who served with great control all through, had no problem in sealing the first set in the ninth game.

Paes and Dlouhy overcame a disastrous start to the second set and played enthralling tennis with emotions flying high.Dlouhy dropped his serve in the first game and Knowles held his to shot up to 2-0 lead but Paes and Dlouhy won four games in a row to go up 4-2.

The sixth game produced scintillating tennis as Paes hit some stunning and measured service return winners to earn as many as five breakpoints and finally converted the last to break Bhupathi for the first time in the match.

However, Paes failed to hold his serve yet again in the next game but the damage was neutralised as Knowles too dropped his serve in the eighth game.Dlouhy then served out the set, converting their third chance and the match stretched to the decisive third set.

Carrying on with the momentum, the Indo-Czech continued their good work and earned an early break.Knowles' double fault after Bhupathi's unforced volley error in the third game gave their rivals that crucial opportunity to push for the win.

Paes and Dlouhy then saved three breakpoints in the next game, broke their rivals in the seventh game and served out the match in the eighth game at love.

Tendulkar&Harbhajan shine in big win Vs Srilanka in Compaq Cup.

*India 319 for 5 (Tendulkar 138, Yuvraj 56*, Dhoni 56) beat Sri Lanka 273 (Kandamby 66, Harbhajan 5-57) by 46 runs.

The ghost of batting under the R Premadasa lights was almost buried tonight.Sachin Tendulkar's master class, an 86th international century close to his best, almost became a footnote on a night of punches and counter-punches. Sri Lanka knew being ultra-aggressive was the only way of going about this huge chase, and they counterattacked every time a wicket was lost. Thilina Kandamby, batting at No. 7, almost pulled off a heist against India for the second time in his short career, but the loss of early wickets had left him with too much to do.

Don't go by the 46-run margin. India's fielders and fast bowlers were rattled during the frenetic chase. It was their spinners, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, who saved them the embarrassment. They took critical wickets at critical points and Raina's dismissal of Chamara Kapugedera in the 43rd over, with 68 runs and the batting Powerplay to go, proved to be the decisive blow. A pumped-up Harbhajan then finished off what he started, dismissing the last three batsmen in a hurry. He had earlier taken two wickets in the eighth and 10th over of the innings to rein in an explosive start to the chase.

When Harbhajan came on for his first spell, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya had jolted the Indian team out of a dream afternoon. Sixty runs were scored in seven overs and all three fast bowlers were clueless. Harbhajan's first over was a masterpiece. With a slip and leg slip in place, and a strong on-side field, he invited Dilshan to take the risk and hit through the off side. Dilshan took the bait - he didn't have many choices - got one boundary through cover, and was bowled the next ball.

In his next over, Harbhajan got Mahela Jayawardene with a doosra, and India were on all-out attack. Three more bowlers took wickets in the first over of new spells, though failing to bring Sri Lanka's run-rate down, which was helped by Thilan Thushara's pinch-hitting. But after they lost the fifth wicket, Kumar Sangakkara and Kandamby settled in for longer innings.

Sangakkara was unfortunate when his bat slipped out of his hand and landed on the top of the stumps in the 28th over. With four wickets left, and 138 to get, it seemed over but Kandamby and Kapugedera had other ideas. They didn't panic, kept the singles and the odd boundaries coming, and were helped by sloppy fielding - India missed at least two run-outs and an easy catch.

With 80 required in the last 10 overs, five of which would be bowled under field restrictions, India relied on the spinners. Raina and Yuvraj gave nine runs in Nos. 41 and 42 and, in the 43rd, Raina got the ambitious shot out of Kapugedera, ending a 70-run stand in 15 overs. Harbhajan then came on to finish his third five-for in ODIs.

The beauty of the chase was that it overshadowed a classy knock by Tendulkar, who rolled back the years, and then some. He stroked, ran and yearned for runs like it was the 1990s, but unlike those days he didn't need to take any risks on the way to setting what looked like a total safe beyond doubt.

This was Tendulkar's ninth international century since May 2007, to go with seven scores in the 90s. Judging by this form, 100 international hundreds have become a distinct possibility. A measure of the bowlers' helplessness lay in the fact that the first time he hit a ball in the air was to reach his fifty, that too off a free hit. With Tendulkar batting the way he was, who needed aerial shots?

He shared valuable partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj, especially crucial being the one with Dravid. Tendulkar and Dravid, walking out with 73 years and 762 ODI caps between them, took charge of what has looked a shaky batting line-up: their 95-run opening stand took them to No. 6 on the all-time partnership aggregates in ODIs.

Tendulkar you simply couldn't take your eye off. Albeit on a flat track, Tendulkar and Dravid were prepared to work hard in sapping conditions, their shirts turning to dark blue with sweat even before the shine went off the white ball.

Nuwan Kulasekera and Thilan Thushara didn't serve up loose half-volleys or long hops; Tendulkar had to work for every forceful shot. The first ball he faced he punched sweetly off his toes, wide of mid-off for three. In the fourth over, he took a similar delivery and wristed it wide of mid-on for three. We were on to something.

A string of lovely boundaries followed, the best being the punches through a tight cover ring, and the late flicks from off and middle stump to midwicket and cow corner. After Dravid's dismissal, Tendulkar added 110 with Dhoni, who kept the tempo up.

By then Tendulkar had started taking the odd chance, stepping out, making room, and hitting Jayasuriya and Mendis over extra cover. One such shot off Mendis, in the 29th over, took him into his 90s and serenely, with ones and twos, came the hundred. After the hundred came the cramps, and when Tendulkar opted for a runner we were reminded for the first time it was in fact the year 2009.

Dravid came back to run,but Tendulkar did most of the calling. The bowlers showed no mercy, Malinga bowling a mix of bouncers and yorkers. Tendulkar's response was to hit Mendis for a six inside-out and reverse-sweep two boundaries in three balls. After he got out in the 46th over, trying one reverse-sweep too many, Yuvraj's big hitting got India 42 runs, which also proved crucial in the end.

"Vandana Preyasi"The Lady With The Toughest Job In Bihar

“Vandana Preyasi”achievements are exemplary,as the is district magistrate of Siwan,Bihar she has set her eyes for conducting a fair and fearless lok sabha elections 2009 in Bihar.Known for her intrepid and fierce doggedness,she has clearly left indelible footprints in her domain.Her no nonsense has often put her on sticky wickets but every time the officer proves a point when she raises her voices.Known for bold steps taken during her previous assignments as SDO in Barh and later as the DM of Siwan,She is credited for reiging in the many of the mighties politicians in Siwan and Barh-Mokama area infamous for guns and goons.

Earlier in 2007,Preyashi's ire was felt by don-turned-ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator Anant Singh. Known as Chhote Sarkar in the area, the lawmaker from Mokama found all his food grain godowns sealed by the official after the state government ordered all the godowns in the state to be shifted to market committees. She was also famous because there had not been a single violent incident during the panchayat polls in Barh and Mokama in 2006 when Preyashi was the sub divisional officer.Preyashi has been spending hours out in the field, meeting voters, inspecting campaign vehicles herself,assessing the security at the polling booths and spreading the word that the strictest action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law on polling day.

"You have to delegate and trust.The grassroot work force has to be motivated and you have to lead by example,"says the district magistrate who has built up a credible reputation in her relatively short career.Now,Vandana Preyasi has been posted as new DM of my hometown”Bhagalpur”.Welcome to our Hometown….May God bless her always!

TITAN Salvage Team nominated for the IMO’s 2009 Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award

The TITAN Salvage team involved in the dramatic, 12-hour cliff-top rescue of the 25 crewmembers onboard the grounded cargo ship Fedra and one rescue swimmer last year has been nominated for the International Maritime Organization’s 2009 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.

Salvage Officer Nigel Raithby, Salvage Foreman Terry Barrows, Assistant Salvage Master Stephen Wood, Salvage Engineer Mike Wood, Salvage Master Jim Conroy and Project Manager and TITAN Managing Director Dan Schwall each received commendation letters from IMO Secretary-General E.E. Mitropoulos for their courageous actions in rescuing the Fedra crew during rough storm conditions at Gibraltar’s Europa Point.

On Oct. 10, 2008, Raithby, Barrows, Stephen Wood, Mike Wood, Conroy and Schwall were in Gibraltar managing another salvage operation, the New Flame, when the Fedra, a 35,886 bulk carrier ran aground off Europa Point during storm force weather. The vessel sustained substantial damage during the grounding and broke in two at the bulkhead of the five and six cargo holds, as the carrier crashed onto Europa Point. Despite hurricane force winds and heavy rain, the TITAN team worked diligently for 12 hours to rescue the 25 crewmembers and rescue swimmer that were stranded on the deck of the vessel near cargo hold two. Risking their own lives, the salvage team used a crane, man basket and harness to rescue the stranded crewmembers as the vessel crashed against the rocky cliff.

“The TITAN team that was on site in Gibraltar carries a unique skill set. These skills, combined with quick thinking and resourcefulness, enabled us to do what needed to be done to ensure a successful outcome. Helping to save the lives of these 26 people was far more rewarding than any salvage job we have ever completed,” Conroy said.

The IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea is an annual award established to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.

Information about TITAN can be found at www.titansalvage.com

Why Indian IT sector will fare better than China?

*China and India-the two countries that are under consideration for the future leaders of the world economy. They are considered to be the economies that can carry the world in this slump times also.

But if comparison is to be made regarding these economies, China irrespective of such a huge IT manufacturing hub lacks in the networking. China has large potential resources lying with it. The foreign investments flowing in the country has helped China to progress so well. The large manufacturing units, foreign investments and the huge internet penetration have helped China to do so better on the global front.
If India is to be considered, no doubt it lags at points where China is picking but still has much potential to compete. If few recent years are considered India has also registered a growth rate of approximately 7% which is more or less same to the growth rate of China. Even India has attracted many foreign investments recently and the last year’s foreign influx of $ 6 billion is worth considering. But if compared to China it is just one-tenth of what China had been successful to attract. The love of foreign investors and skepticism towards India is thoughtful.

The reasons for such large disparity are poor infrastructure, low connectivity, poor educational ratios, low penetration of Internet and broadband and the last but the most impacting is the economy drivers. The Chinese economy is export driven and attracts more foreign influxes where as India concentrates more on domestic market rather than thinking for brighter prospects of international trade. The good part is that India has also redefined its policies and has gelled with global economy. The recently framed policies favor the Indian growth on global front and to redefine its position in global mart. These policies have gelled India with the foreign markets and India is now considered far better networked than China.’

The recent reports confirmed that manufacturing hub China is lagging behind if the foreign connectivity is considered. India is far better on the foreign fronts and has made its presence strongly felt in the world map. According to Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009 China is lagging by seven positions from India. India ranks 50th and China is standing at 57thposition. The Indian economy is lacking so much because of the root factors like the improper infrastructure, low literacy rates, political imbalances and the Governmental policies. It has started to work on these weaknesses and the result is worth praising.

With the advent of policies favoring the economical growth India.Jai Hind!:)

"Final Destination"retains lead at box office.

*Reigning champ "The Final Destination" fended off a challenge from Sandra Bullock's latest romantic comedy to lead the U.S. Labor Day holiday box office in North America for a second weekend,according to studio estimates issued on Sunday."The Final Destination," the fourth movie in a horror franchise about disastrous occurrences, earned $12.4 million during the three days beginning Friday. The 10-day haul for the Warner Bros release rose to $47.6 million, buoyed by premium pricing for 3D screenings.

Warner Bros is a unit of Time Warner Inc."All About Steve," a critical bomb starring Bullock as a lovelorn crossword-puzzle expert, followed with $11.2 million, the best performance among three weak newcomers.

That marked a considerable drop from the $33.6 million launch of her previous hit "The Proposal" in June. "All About Steve" co-star Bradley Cooper did even better that month with the $45 million debut of his summer smash "The Hangover."

But the new picture played in 2,251 theaters, about 900 less than either "The Proposal," "The Final Destination" or "The Hangover." It was also released at a time -- the dying days of summer--when the studios are clearing out underperformers so they can focus on their awards-season hopefuls.

"We're thrilled with the number,"said an official at 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp. Bullock also produced the movie, whose audience was about two-thirds female,according to Fox.

"Inglourious Basterds" slipped one place to No. 3 with $10.8 million, taking the three-week tally for Quentin Tarantino's World War Two picture to $91 million. It needs just $17 million more to become his biggest film in North America, a title currently held by his 1994 breakthrough "Pulp Fiction" ($108 million).

The new film's foreign total stands at $83 million, and it already ranks as Tarantino's highest-grossing release in eight markets, including Germany, Russia and Turkey.

"Basterds"was co-financed by the closely held Weinstein Co and General Electric Co's Universal Pictures.

Of the other two new releases, both targeted at male youngsters, "Gamer" opened at No. 4 with $9 million, and "Extract" at No. 10 with just under $4.2 million.

Lionsgate's "Gamer" stars Gerard Butler ("300") as a heroic killer frantically reducing the population count. Miramax Films' "Extract," another workplace satire from "Office Space" director and "Beavis and Butt-head" creator Mike Judge, stars Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis.Lionsgate is a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Miramax is a unit of Walt Disney Co.