About 1,000 North Easterners, who had fled Bangalore to their native states last month following rumours of attacks against them, returned on Tuesday, police said.
"All the people who have returned have expressed satisfaction at the security being provided by Karnataka government for their protection," DIG Railways B Srikantappa, who was at the city railway station to welcome them, told reporters.
The North Easterners arrived by a Guwahati-Bangalore special at 4.30 AM amid tight security arrangements at the railway staion.
They said they had fled to their native places after receiving SMSes that they would be attacked. But their fears vanished after reading newspaper reports of the steps taken by the government to provide protection to them and Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka's personal appeal to them to come back during his recent visit to Guwahati, they said.
"We have no fear in our minds now and are relieved to return to our home here", said Tensing who works in a beauty parlour.
Nanu, a hair stylist in a well-know hair salon, said the SMSes and rumours were the work of mischief-mongers. "I am glad police are looking into it. I feel good to be back because I love the city".
There are over 3.5 lakh people from North Eastern states residing in different parts of Karnataka, of whom about 30,000 had fled to their native states since August 15 in the wake of the threat SMSes.
In all, 20 persons have been nabbed in connection with the rumour mongering, including five for sending theatening SMSes.
bangalore hot news, Bangalore City, bangalore news,
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Showing posts with label bangalore news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bangalore news. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
5 feared dead in major fire at Bangalore's Carlton Towers
Five people are feared dead in a major fire that broke out on Tuesday at the Carlton Towers, which houses many commercial offices and establishments, on Old Airport Road at Domlur here.
Eight fire tenders have been rushed to the spot, fire brigade sources said. The fire broke out at 4.30 pm, they said.
Eyewitnesses said that the rescuers were bringing down people using fire hoses down the sides. The fire department has not been able to assess how serious the fire is.
A large number of people are stuck in the building. Many updates are coming in on social networking site Twitter from inside the building as well as the on-lookers.
A user trapped in the building tweets about the latest happening,
“Carlton Towers is burning and six of us are trapped inside. The fire's above but there's smoke everywhere. Saw people jump to their death.”
“Don't call me folks, you can't help. Will keep posting.”
“Our rescue ladder. It'll only reach the fourth floor. We're on the fifth.”
“Massive crowd outside. This must have choked traffic for kilometers around.”
Many users write in about the massive crowd near the place, which is causing traffic blockage. Tweetizens are also posting latest pictures of the happenings in the building.
The Twitteratti doing their bit by telling people the actual on-goings to avoid false rumours.
People are also warning the others to not to come on that road to avoid the chaos; one user enquires, “We are 20 minutes from Carlton Towers Bangalore. Which is on fire. Hope Things are not as bad as it seems to me”
Carlton Towers,Carlton Towers fire,Bangalore City, bangalore news, bangalore hot news,
Eight fire tenders have been rushed to the spot, fire brigade sources said. The fire broke out at 4.30 pm, they said.
Eyewitnesses said that the rescuers were bringing down people using fire hoses down the sides. The fire department has not been able to assess how serious the fire is.
A large number of people are stuck in the building. Many updates are coming in on social networking site Twitter from inside the building as well as the on-lookers.
A user trapped in the building tweets about the latest happening,
“Carlton Towers is burning and six of us are trapped inside. The fire's above but there's smoke everywhere. Saw people jump to their death.”
“Don't call me folks, you can't help. Will keep posting.”
“Our rescue ladder. It'll only reach the fourth floor. We're on the fifth.”
“Massive crowd outside. This must have choked traffic for kilometers around.”
Many users write in about the massive crowd near the place, which is causing traffic blockage. Tweetizens are also posting latest pictures of the happenings in the building.
The Twitteratti doing their bit by telling people the actual on-goings to avoid false rumours.
People are also warning the others to not to come on that road to avoid the chaos; one user enquires, “We are 20 minutes from Carlton Towers Bangalore. Which is on fire. Hope Things are not as bad as it seems to me”
Carlton Towers,Carlton Towers fire,Bangalore City, bangalore news, bangalore hot news,
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Watch the solar eclipse but cautiously
Millions of Indians are expected to witness the longest solar eclipse, 11 minutes at its peak, in more than 1,000 years on January 15. You will have to wait for another 25 years to witness the next total/annual solar eclipse from the Indian soil.
On January 15, the annular eclipse will commence at 11 a.m. and end at 3.15 p.m., reaching its peak at 1 p.m.
In Bangalore, 85 per cent of the sun will be eclipsed at its peak.
However, never watch with the celestial event with naked eyes. Instead, watching it through a safe solar filter is both exciting and safe, say experts.
Sujatha Virdhe, a former scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation, says she has developed a solar filter under the brand name Nebula Solar Goggles. The double-layer silver coated filter of the goggles will block ultraviolet radiation, and reflect all infrared radiation. The goggles, with an optical density of 5, are completely safe for watching the eclipse, she says. The goggles, priced at Rs. 25 a pair, are available at the Science Corners at the Planetarium on Raj Bhavan Road and the Visvesvaraya Science and Technology Museum on Kasturba Road; at all Sapna Book House branches, Gangarams, Axis and Higginbothams and other major bookstores. Log on to www.lgreenventures.com, for details. Eye specialists say viewing the eclipse unscientifically exposes the eyes to infrared radiations that can damage to the retina, leading to blindness.
On January 15, the annular eclipse will commence at 11 a.m. and end at 3.15 p.m., reaching its peak at 1 p.m.
In Bangalore, 85 per cent of the sun will be eclipsed at its peak.
However, never watch with the celestial event with naked eyes. Instead, watching it through a safe solar filter is both exciting and safe, say experts.
Sujatha Virdhe, a former scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation, says she has developed a solar filter under the brand name Nebula Solar Goggles. The double-layer silver coated filter of the goggles will block ultraviolet radiation, and reflect all infrared radiation. The goggles, with an optical density of 5, are completely safe for watching the eclipse, she says. The goggles, priced at Rs. 25 a pair, are available at the Science Corners at the Planetarium on Raj Bhavan Road and the Visvesvaraya Science and Technology Museum on Kasturba Road; at all Sapna Book House branches, Gangarams, Axis and Higginbothams and other major bookstores. Log on to www.lgreenventures.com, for details. Eye specialists say viewing the eclipse unscientifically exposes the eyes to infrared radiations that can damage to the retina, leading to blindness.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Vishnuvardhan gave politics a wide berth
Despite being a hugely popular film star and enjoying considerable fan following in Karnataka, actor Vishnuvardhan did not plunge into politics. He always kept a distance from it and was only seen at election campaigns, that too only when his close friend and actor-turned-politician Ambareesh was in the electoral fray.
In the past, political parties in the State reportedly made “unsuccessful bids” to rope Mr. Vishnuvardhan, into politics by fielding him in either Assembly or Lok Sabha elections. However, the actor was content in the world of cinema.
There have been many success stories of Kannada film stars making it big in politics. They include Ambareesh (three-time MP from Mandya Constituency), Ananth Nag (represented Malleswaram Assembly Constituency in Bangalore and was a minister in the J.H. Patel Cabinet), actor Shashikumar (represented the Lok Sabha from Chitradurga on Janata Dal-United ticket), ‘Pranayaraja’ Srinath (BJP MLC), Jaggesh (represented Turuvekere in the Assembly on Congress ticket and is now a BJP leader).
Like Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar, Mr. Vishnuvardhan was not lured into politics.
Several film stars in the Kannada industry tested their fate in politics. Some tasted success while others failed. It was only Ambareesh, popularly known as ‘Mandyada Gandu’, who has a successful track record in it. Dialogue King Saikumar’s dream of entering the Vidhana Soudha remains unfulfilled following his loss in the 2008 Assembly elections from Bagepalli Constituency in Kolar district on the BJP ticket. Even yesteryear actor Jayanthi’s brush with politics was unsuccessful.
The face of Ambareesh’s election campaign was Mr. Vishnuvardhan. He and his actor-wife Bharati had campaigned for Ambareesh, who shared a close bond with him. They entered the silver screen together with the Puttanna Kanagal-directed landmark film “Nagarahavu”.
After the film’s stupendous success, the duo never looked back and emerged as Kannada cinema’s popular actors. They continued their close bonding in their 37 years in Kannada cinema.
In spite of having a friend like Ambareesh, who was a political heavyweight, Mr. Vishnuvardhan was not attracted to politics though he was well aware that he could make it big owing to his popularity.
Another close friend comedian Dwarakeesh’s entry into politics was a disaster when he lost the elections from Hunsur Assembly Constituency in Mysore district under Kannada Nadu party.
In the past, political parties in the State reportedly made “unsuccessful bids” to rope Mr. Vishnuvardhan, into politics by fielding him in either Assembly or Lok Sabha elections. However, the actor was content in the world of cinema.
There have been many success stories of Kannada film stars making it big in politics. They include Ambareesh (three-time MP from Mandya Constituency), Ananth Nag (represented Malleswaram Assembly Constituency in Bangalore and was a minister in the J.H. Patel Cabinet), actor Shashikumar (represented the Lok Sabha from Chitradurga on Janata Dal-United ticket), ‘Pranayaraja’ Srinath (BJP MLC), Jaggesh (represented Turuvekere in the Assembly on Congress ticket and is now a BJP leader).
Like Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar, Mr. Vishnuvardhan was not lured into politics.
Several film stars in the Kannada industry tested their fate in politics. Some tasted success while others failed. It was only Ambareesh, popularly known as ‘Mandyada Gandu’, who has a successful track record in it. Dialogue King Saikumar’s dream of entering the Vidhana Soudha remains unfulfilled following his loss in the 2008 Assembly elections from Bagepalli Constituency in Kolar district on the BJP ticket. Even yesteryear actor Jayanthi’s brush with politics was unsuccessful.
The face of Ambareesh’s election campaign was Mr. Vishnuvardhan. He and his actor-wife Bharati had campaigned for Ambareesh, who shared a close bond with him. They entered the silver screen together with the Puttanna Kanagal-directed landmark film “Nagarahavu”.
After the film’s stupendous success, the duo never looked back and emerged as Kannada cinema’s popular actors. They continued their close bonding in their 37 years in Kannada cinema.
In spite of having a friend like Ambareesh, who was a political heavyweight, Mr. Vishnuvardhan was not attracted to politics though he was well aware that he could make it big owing to his popularity.
Another close friend comedian Dwarakeesh’s entry into politics was a disaster when he lost the elections from Hunsur Assembly Constituency in Mysore district under Kannada Nadu party.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
House panel indicts Murthy for faulty airport design
The Joint House Committee (JHC) probing the construction of the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) has indicted Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy, MP Rajeev Chandrashekar, bureaucrats V P Baligar, K Jairaj and other officials for "faulty" design and construction.
It has also recommended blacklisting of infrastructure majors L&T, Siemens and Unique Zurich Airport for at least five years for "poor quality of workmanship" at BIA.
The report, submitted to the government by committee chairman D Hemachandra Sagar, was tabled in the legislature on Monday. It says decisions at each stage -- from project approval to construction of BIA -- did not lead to the construction of an airport of international standards. It has recommended "appropriate action" against officers responsible for the present state of affairs at BIA.
Murthy and Chandrashekar have been indicted on two counts. One, both were among the first directors when Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) was incorporated on January 5, 2001. Two, they participated in the first board meeting of BIAL, on March 21, 2001, which appointed IAS officer K Jairaj as managing director.
While Murthy refused to comment on the report, Rajeev Chandrashekar said he quit as a BIAL director in 2003, before the government brought in the private participant. "I have consistently criticized the monopoly status of the airport. The private stakeholder could exit the project in two years with a windfall profit, leaving no competition on the ground, with the closure of HAL airport, and making the new airport facility more expensive for the common man. So, in a way, I agree with the recommendations that somebody should be accountable for what has happened," he told TOI.
Describing the terminal building as an "industrial shed", the committee has expressed serious concern over the absence of a structure depicting the culture and glory of Karnataka.
In addition, the JHC has asked the five directors of BIAL, nominated by the central and Karnataka governments, to safeguard the interests of the state. "There is an urgent need to put in the whole weight of directors of both the governments to get better and adequate amenities on a par with any other international airport. The directors should ensure that debt does not become a noose around the neck of the government as the onus of the mounting debts of the company falls on the shoulders of governments," the committee observed.
The JHC was constituted a year ago after legislators debated the design and construction of BIA.
The recommendations of the committee will bring cheer to people fighting for reopening of the HAL airport. It has asked both governments to consider reopening the old facility for healthy competition. Further, the JHC has asked the Centre to order BIAL to withdraw the user development fee of Rs 260 as the company has failed to provide facilities on par with international standards.
It has recommended that BIAL be headed by an Indian who can understand local aspirations and requirements. The JHC has considered the observation made by a parliamentary standing committee which noted there was "a complete lack of transparency" in awarding engineering, procurement and construction contracts by BIAL.
It has also recommended blacklisting of infrastructure majors L&T, Siemens and Unique Zurich Airport for at least five years for "poor quality of workmanship" at BIA.
The report, submitted to the government by committee chairman D Hemachandra Sagar, was tabled in the legislature on Monday. It says decisions at each stage -- from project approval to construction of BIA -- did not lead to the construction of an airport of international standards. It has recommended "appropriate action" against officers responsible for the present state of affairs at BIA.
Murthy and Chandrashekar have been indicted on two counts. One, both were among the first directors when Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) was incorporated on January 5, 2001. Two, they participated in the first board meeting of BIAL, on March 21, 2001, which appointed IAS officer K Jairaj as managing director.
While Murthy refused to comment on the report, Rajeev Chandrashekar said he quit as a BIAL director in 2003, before the government brought in the private participant. "I have consistently criticized the monopoly status of the airport. The private stakeholder could exit the project in two years with a windfall profit, leaving no competition on the ground, with the closure of HAL airport, and making the new airport facility more expensive for the common man. So, in a way, I agree with the recommendations that somebody should be accountable for what has happened," he told TOI.
Describing the terminal building as an "industrial shed", the committee has expressed serious concern over the absence of a structure depicting the culture and glory of Karnataka.
In addition, the JHC has asked the five directors of BIAL, nominated by the central and Karnataka governments, to safeguard the interests of the state. "There is an urgent need to put in the whole weight of directors of both the governments to get better and adequate amenities on a par with any other international airport. The directors should ensure that debt does not become a noose around the neck of the government as the onus of the mounting debts of the company falls on the shoulders of governments," the committee observed.
The JHC was constituted a year ago after legislators debated the design and construction of BIA.
The recommendations of the committee will bring cheer to people fighting for reopening of the HAL airport. It has asked both governments to consider reopening the old facility for healthy competition. Further, the JHC has asked the Centre to order BIAL to withdraw the user development fee of Rs 260 as the company has failed to provide facilities on par with international standards.
It has recommended that BIAL be headed by an Indian who can understand local aspirations and requirements. The JHC has considered the observation made by a parliamentary standing committee which noted there was "a complete lack of transparency" in awarding engineering, procurement and construction contracts by BIAL.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
CAT extended by a day
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2009 for the management courses has been extended by a day to enable all the candidates, who could not take test due to technical glitches, to take the exam within this year’s testing period.
Now the CAT will conclude on December 8 instead of earlier schedule from November 28 to December 7.
On December 8, the tests will be held only in the morning sessions in 20 cities, including Bangalore, said a joint press release issued by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Prometric, which is conducting the computer-based test.
“We understand and regret the additional stress and inconvenience caused to the candidates who have not been able to take the test on their scheduled day due to technical difficulties,” said Ramesh Nava, vice-president and general manager, Prometric (Asia Pacific, Japan and Africa), in a statement.
“We are working with the IIMs to add an additional session on December 8 to accommodate all the candidates within the city they were originally scheduled,” he added.
While maintaining that the technical glitches were a result of virus and malware, Prometric stated that majority of these issues have been identified and eradicated. However, in case of any difficulty in conducting the test at the designated labs, the candidates will be informed via SMS a day before the test, the release added. As many as 1.12 lakh candidates have completed the test as on December 3.
Meanwhile, many affected candidates have received rescheduled test date.
Also, Prometric, based on feedback from candidates, has extended the hours of CAT Candidate Care contact 1800 103 9293.
Now candidates can contact the helpline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. without having to wait much as Prometric has said that it has deployed more telephone lines and agents to respond to the queries.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news, Education,
Now the CAT will conclude on December 8 instead of earlier schedule from November 28 to December 7.
On December 8, the tests will be held only in the morning sessions in 20 cities, including Bangalore, said a joint press release issued by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Prometric, which is conducting the computer-based test.
“We understand and regret the additional stress and inconvenience caused to the candidates who have not been able to take the test on their scheduled day due to technical difficulties,” said Ramesh Nava, vice-president and general manager, Prometric (Asia Pacific, Japan and Africa), in a statement.
“We are working with the IIMs to add an additional session on December 8 to accommodate all the candidates within the city they were originally scheduled,” he added.
While maintaining that the technical glitches were a result of virus and malware, Prometric stated that majority of these issues have been identified and eradicated. However, in case of any difficulty in conducting the test at the designated labs, the candidates will be informed via SMS a day before the test, the release added. As many as 1.12 lakh candidates have completed the test as on December 3.
Meanwhile, many affected candidates have received rescheduled test date.
Also, Prometric, based on feedback from candidates, has extended the hours of CAT Candidate Care contact 1800 103 9293.
Now candidates can contact the helpline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. without having to wait much as Prometric has said that it has deployed more telephone lines and agents to respond to the queries.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news, Education,
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Ramya's fun b'day
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, Kannada movie news,
Monday, November 30, 2009
People with fake passports prefer BIA?
The international airport in Bangalore, the third busiest in the country, appears to be a safe transit point for passengers using passports that have been tampered with or are forged, if the number of cases booked by the city police in this regard is any indication.
During the last two weeks, eight passengers were detained at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) for allegedly possessing forged passports.
The BIA, which opened about 20 months ago, is equipped with highly advanced safety and security gadgets. “The Bangalore airport is regarded as a safe point of departure or disembarkation with fake passports. There is a notion that the BIA still does not have advanced gadgets to screen fake passports,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) V.S. D’Souza told The Hindu.
Though the country has international airports in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, people with fake passports appear to prefer BIA, said a police official in whose jurisdiction the airport falls.
On an average, 60 passengers are deported from Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Germany, America, France, Hong Kong and other countries to BIA every year for possessing fake passports, fake visas and other documents.
“They are sent back to their point of boarding. Even Sri Lankans are among them in large numbers,” he said.
However, an official of the Emigration Division at BIA claimed that instances of fake passports were coming to light only because of the advanced equipment installed at the airport. The official blamed the Police Department for its inability to check the menace.
“We are taking a serious note of the rise in fake passport cases. We will verify the documents and efforts will be made to solve all registered cases,” DCP (Crime) S.N. Sidramappa said. The police said people with criminal background and over-staying foreigners flock to agents in Chennai in Tamil Nadu and in Mallapuram and other parts of Kerala, where a thriving fake passport racket existed.
Stolen passports are believed to be used in the racket. “The agents can replace the photograph of a person, who wants to fly, but cannot change other details.
They are using advanced machines to replace the photos. It is difficult to check the authenticity of the forged passport. Only sophisticated scanners and other equipment can detect the manipulation,” a police officer said.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
During the last two weeks, eight passengers were detained at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) for allegedly possessing forged passports.
The BIA, which opened about 20 months ago, is equipped with highly advanced safety and security gadgets. “The Bangalore airport is regarded as a safe point of departure or disembarkation with fake passports. There is a notion that the BIA still does not have advanced gadgets to screen fake passports,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) V.S. D’Souza told The Hindu.
Though the country has international airports in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, people with fake passports appear to prefer BIA, said a police official in whose jurisdiction the airport falls.
On an average, 60 passengers are deported from Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Germany, America, France, Hong Kong and other countries to BIA every year for possessing fake passports, fake visas and other documents.
“They are sent back to their point of boarding. Even Sri Lankans are among them in large numbers,” he said.
However, an official of the Emigration Division at BIA claimed that instances of fake passports were coming to light only because of the advanced equipment installed at the airport. The official blamed the Police Department for its inability to check the menace.
“We are taking a serious note of the rise in fake passport cases. We will verify the documents and efforts will be made to solve all registered cases,” DCP (Crime) S.N. Sidramappa said. The police said people with criminal background and over-staying foreigners flock to agents in Chennai in Tamil Nadu and in Mallapuram and other parts of Kerala, where a thriving fake passport racket existed.
Stolen passports are believed to be used in the racket. “The agents can replace the photograph of a person, who wants to fly, but cannot change other details.
They are using advanced machines to replace the photos. It is difficult to check the authenticity of the forged passport. Only sophisticated scanners and other equipment can detect the manipulation,” a police officer said.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Neettoo’s dream comes true
Neettoo’s excited about realising a long-time dream. She got an opportunity to dance with Crazy Star Ravichandran last week for her film Aithalakadi. “I play the role of a flower seller in this one and have already finished dubbing for it. Recently, I got a call from the crew that Ravichandran will be coming on the sets. But I never knew I’ll be dancing with him,” says the actress. She was even more thrilled when the Crazy Star himself choreographed the number. “He did it in his trademark style and made my dream come true,” says Neettoo, adding, “I watched Premaloka when I was in school. So I’m happy I got an opportunity to dance with its hero now.” She also met Prabhu Deva when he was in the city recently. “I performed at the finals of a reality dance show and he was the celebrity judge,” she tells us.
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, bangalore news,
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, bangalore news,
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Swami sleeps on fire; an illusion or hoax?
After fire-eating swamis, here come swamis sleeping on fire-beds. When even a match stick singes the skin, is it possible for a human being to lie on fire for four hours, fully clothed and emerge unscathed, body and robe? Even fall asleep in the process?
Ramababu Swamiji, 80, from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu,ostensibly did precisely that on Sunday morning when he slept on a homa fire and prayed for the well-being of the society, say his devotees at the Ghanagapur village in northern Karnataka. Doctors, psychologists and rationalists are dismissive of the incident, believing it to be an ‘illusion.’
Here’s what’s known to have happened. The swami — who incidentally survives on a diet of bananas and water — told local villagers that he would talk to Lord Ganesh about the ills affecting society and pray for their welfare. The visiting swami came to the Dattatreya temple at Ghanagapur village in Afzalpur taluk of Gulbarga district and on hearing of the special homa organised at the temple, expressed his intention of lying on the lit homa kund measuring 3ftX3ft.
Then to the open-mouthed astonishment of the devotees who had flocked the temple, the swami in his orange robes, did precisely that, shut his eyes and apparently slept for the next four hours. His followers told The Times of India that the swamiji had done this four or five times earlier in Tamil Nadu, claiming he had spiritual powers.
bangalore news, Karnataka news,
Ramababu Swamiji, 80, from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu,ostensibly did precisely that on Sunday morning when he slept on a homa fire and prayed for the well-being of the society, say his devotees at the Ghanagapur village in northern Karnataka. Doctors, psychologists and rationalists are dismissive of the incident, believing it to be an ‘illusion.’
Here’s what’s known to have happened. The swami — who incidentally survives on a diet of bananas and water — told local villagers that he would talk to Lord Ganesh about the ills affecting society and pray for their welfare. The visiting swami came to the Dattatreya temple at Ghanagapur village in Afzalpur taluk of Gulbarga district and on hearing of the special homa organised at the temple, expressed his intention of lying on the lit homa kund measuring 3ftX3ft.
Then to the open-mouthed astonishment of the devotees who had flocked the temple, the swami in his orange robes, did precisely that, shut his eyes and apparently slept for the next four hours. His followers told The Times of India that the swamiji had done this four or five times earlier in Tamil Nadu, claiming he had spiritual powers.
bangalore news, Karnataka news,
Kannada actress Ramya's red hot dress
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, Kannada movie news, bangalore news,
Monday, November 16, 2009
Why are Bangalore producers crying?
The Kannada film industry is reeling in a year it produced its highest ever number of films. MiD DAY investigates what went wrong, and predicts things may get worse towards the end of the year
The Bangalore film industry is coming to the end of its worst year, and regular producers are blaming real estate businessmen for its plight.
A total of 105 films have been released in 2009 so far, the highest for any year, but only four have recovered their money and four others have earned profits.
Regular producers believe real estate tycoons who ventured into films ruined the industry for everyone.
N M Suresh, who lost Rs 2 crore on his last film Kaaranji, said, "The Kannada film industry has collapsed while other language films are making good money."
Too many films
Real estate money increased the number of productions, and made the industry unviable, he believes.
"With two to three films releasing in a week, the movie buff just had too much coming at him," he said.
Producer K Manju says four of his films flopped this year. "I have lost about Rs 3.5 crore," he told MiD DAY.
Rockline Venkatesh, whose Manasaare is one of the more successful films this year, said, "Real estate tycoons don't know a thing about films, and throw their money around. Cinema halls, artistes, and technicians have become unaffordable because of that."
Producer Ramesh Kashyap can't fathom what is going wrong. He said, "My film Bhagyada Balegara was made for a family audience, but it just didn't work." It had one of the Kannada industry's most saleable heroes, Shivarajkumar.
Kashyap sprinkled consecrated water on cinema halls in the hope that it would help the film run, but nothing helped.
Crime connection
Prem, director of the lavishly produced Raj The Showman, believes real estate money also brought with it the hint of crime.
"They come with a bad reputation, and that kept the audiences away from the halls. They treated the business like a gamble," he said.
By his own estimate, Prem's film has made the maximum profits this year (Rs 25 crore), but industry insiders believe that could be an inflated figure.
S V Babu, a land developer, produced two movies this year, Sangama (with the top-selling star Ganesh in the lead) and Josh (new artistes).
He said, "We are confused about what the audience want. Josh completed 100 days successfully." Sangama flopped.
Babu said land developers weren't coming to the industry now like they did earlier.
'Not our fault'
But E Krishnappa, the real esate tycoon who produced the industry's biggest ever hit Mungaaru Male, believes regular producers are themselves to blame for the present misery.
"Artistes are demanding more, and producers are wasting money on foreign locales and mindless publicity," he told MiD DAY.
He argued that regular producers had no taste, and were throwing their money down the drain.
"They create scripts for actors. It shows that their intention is to make money and not to make good films," he said.
Krishnappa read several scripts this year but did not feel like producing any of them.
The actors don't agree they jacked up their rates because the producers were from the real estate business.
"I get paid the same, whoever the producer. I think many real estate businessmen got into movies inspired by E Krishnappa, and lost their money," said Radhika Pandit, who won the national award for the film Moggina Manasu (2008), produced by E Krishnappa.
Hits
Ambaari, Jangli, Veera Madakari, Savari, Josh, Eddelu Manjunatha, Raj the Showman and Manasaare.
Flops
Circus, Kaaranji, Yodha, Vaayuputra, Namyajamanru,Hodi Maga, Bhagyada Balegara, Rajani, Dubai Babu, Kiran Bedi and Bellary Naga.
Hit actors
Aindrita Ray, Vijay, Puneeth Rajkumar and Yogish .
Flop actors
Pooja Gandhi, Ganesh, Vishnuvardan, Shivarajkumar and Darshanan
>>A record 105 films till date in 2009
>>Just 4 make money, 4 break even
>>'Real estate money ruined industry'
>>Big heroes, big banners bite the dust
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, Kannada movie news, , bangalore news,
source:midday
The Bangalore film industry is coming to the end of its worst year, and regular producers are blaming real estate businessmen for its plight.
A total of 105 films have been released in 2009 so far, the highest for any year, but only four have recovered their money and four others have earned profits.
Regular producers believe real estate tycoons who ventured into films ruined the industry for everyone.
N M Suresh, who lost Rs 2 crore on his last film Kaaranji, said, "The Kannada film industry has collapsed while other language films are making good money."
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| Heartfelt Hit: The movie Manasaare, starring Diganth and Aindrita Rai, is a box-office success |
Too many films
Real estate money increased the number of productions, and made the industry unviable, he believes.
"With two to three films releasing in a week, the movie buff just had too much coming at him," he said.
Producer K Manju says four of his films flopped this year. "I have lost about Rs 3.5 crore," he told MiD DAY.
Rockline Venkatesh, whose Manasaare is one of the more successful films this year, said, "Real estate tycoons don't know a thing about films, and throw their money around. Cinema halls, artistes, and technicians have become unaffordable because of that."
Producer Ramesh Kashyap can't fathom what is going wrong. He said, "My film Bhagyada Balegara was made for a family audience, but it just didn't work." It had one of the Kannada industry's most saleable heroes, Shivarajkumar.
Kashyap sprinkled consecrated water on cinema halls in the hope that it would help the film run, but nothing helped.
Crime connection
Prem, director of the lavishly produced Raj The Showman, believes real estate money also brought with it the hint of crime.
"They come with a bad reputation, and that kept the audiences away from the halls. They treated the business like a gamble," he said.
By his own estimate, Prem's film has made the maximum profits this year (Rs 25 crore), but industry insiders believe that could be an inflated figure.
S V Babu, a land developer, produced two movies this year, Sangama (with the top-selling star Ganesh in the lead) and Josh (new artistes).
He said, "We are confused about what the audience want. Josh completed 100 days successfully." Sangama flopped.
Babu said land developers weren't coming to the industry now like they did earlier.
'Not our fault'
But E Krishnappa, the real esate tycoon who produced the industry's biggest ever hit Mungaaru Male, believes regular producers are themselves to blame for the present misery.
"Artistes are demanding more, and producers are wasting money on foreign locales and mindless publicity," he told MiD DAY.
He argued that regular producers had no taste, and were throwing their money down the drain.
"They create scripts for actors. It shows that their intention is to make money and not to make good films," he said.
Krishnappa read several scripts this year but did not feel like producing any of them.
The actors don't agree they jacked up their rates because the producers were from the real estate business.
"I get paid the same, whoever the producer. I think many real estate businessmen got into movies inspired by E Krishnappa, and lost their money," said Radhika Pandit, who won the national award for the film Moggina Manasu (2008), produced by E Krishnappa.
Hits
Ambaari, Jangli, Veera Madakari, Savari, Josh, Eddelu Manjunatha, Raj the Showman and Manasaare.
Flops
Circus, Kaaranji, Yodha, Vaayuputra, Namyajamanru,Hodi Maga, Bhagyada Balegara, Rajani, Dubai Babu, Kiran Bedi and Bellary Naga.
Hit actors
Aindrita Ray, Vijay, Puneeth Rajkumar and Yogish .
Flop actors
Pooja Gandhi, Ganesh, Vishnuvardan, Shivarajkumar and Darshanan
>>A record 105 films till date in 2009
>>Just 4 make money, 4 break even
>>'Real estate money ruined industry'
>>Big heroes, big banners bite the dust
kannada actress wallpapers, Kannada cinema news, Kannada movie news, , bangalore news,
source:midday
This Bangalore locality is safe with hired guards
If you still feel insecure in the city, fend for yourself. Keeping watch on the neighbourhood at 44th Cross 7th Main Jayanagar 5th
Block are hired common security guards. And it has been a theft-free area for 50-odd houses, for 15 years now. In 1994, residents of 44th Cross complained of a spate of thefts, like break-ins, stolen manhole lids and steel water pipes. The 44th Cross Residents’ Welfare Association was formed to solve the problem. The solution was simple: hire security.
“We get a sense of satisfaction... There has not been a single robbery on our street since 1994, after we decided to go in for our own security,” says B Bhaskar, a local resident. If you are a stranger in the area, you are viewed with suspicion. The guards question all non-residents. Another prime reason to employ guards was to keep salesmen without ID cards at bay. Says Sharada Muthanna: “More than security, we are buying peace of mind. Mothers now send their children out to play in the street, without worrying too much. Women can also go on walks and feel safe.”
They have built a shelter at both ends of the road for the guards. The two pairs of guards work in day/night shifts, keeping a close eye on the road. The Association collects Rs 300 from every house and Rs 250 per flat in apartment buildings.
Recently, the core members of the association — K S Krishnamurthy, K A Muthanna and T P Subramanian — successfully got Bescom to instal more streetlights. With bright lights and two guards, no one dares to mess with this street.
Inspired by their neighbours, residents of 6th main on 5th Block and 10th A Main on 4th Block, Jayanagar, have also adopted this security measure.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Block are hired common security guards. And it has been a theft-free area for 50-odd houses, for 15 years now. In 1994, residents of 44th Cross complained of a spate of thefts, like break-ins, stolen manhole lids and steel water pipes. The 44th Cross Residents’ Welfare Association was formed to solve the problem. The solution was simple: hire security.
“We get a sense of satisfaction... There has not been a single robbery on our street since 1994, after we decided to go in for our own security,” says B Bhaskar, a local resident. If you are a stranger in the area, you are viewed with suspicion. The guards question all non-residents. Another prime reason to employ guards was to keep salesmen without ID cards at bay. Says Sharada Muthanna: “More than security, we are buying peace of mind. Mothers now send their children out to play in the street, without worrying too much. Women can also go on walks and feel safe.”
They have built a shelter at both ends of the road for the guards. The two pairs of guards work in day/night shifts, keeping a close eye on the road. The Association collects Rs 300 from every house and Rs 250 per flat in apartment buildings.
Recently, the core members of the association — K S Krishnamurthy, K A Muthanna and T P Subramanian — successfully got Bescom to instal more streetlights. With bright lights and two guards, no one dares to mess with this street.
Inspired by their neighbours, residents of 6th main on 5th Block and 10th A Main on 4th Block, Jayanagar, have also adopted this security measure.
Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Friday, November 13, 2009
BBMP demolition drive continues amid protest
The drive to remove encroachments on Raja Kaluve across the city by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike continued on Thursday. The BBMP took up the demolition drive in Ittamadu (ward number 55) amid protest by residents.
Several houses that had come up on the Raja Kaluve there were demolished during the drive while some property owners lost a portion of their property.
There were allegations that the BBMP did not issue notices to the property owners before demolition was taken up. Residents also said that they were taken by surprise. However, the residents said that the BBMP had marked their property about a fortnight ago, apparently for demolition.
“We have khata and have been paying tax for our property. These property have sanctioned plans, and despite these documents, our property were demolished,” said a resident, Chandrashekar, who lost a large portion of his property.
He also quoted other residents as saying that they had apprised the Lokayukta of the situation there. He said that the Lokayukta had asked these residents to meet him with the relevant documents.
Shankar, another resident, said that many owners had availed themselves of loans to construct houses there, and that they would be in trouble due to the demolition of their property.
Meanwhile, property owners who are likely to lose their buildings in the days to come started salvaging whatever they could before the BBMP takes up demolition. They removed iron grills, steel staircase, window and door frames on Thursday.
Though some residents charged the BBMP with going slow on an encroachment by an apartment complex on Ittamadu 1st Main, officials refuted the allegations.
“We will recover the 20-ft encroachment by the apartment in a couple of days,” a senior BBMP engineer said even as the apartment residents claimed that they had a map prepared by the BBMP showing that their building had not encroached upon the Raja Kaluve.
“We are even ready to offer an alternative space for the Raja Kaluve by which demolition of the building can be prevented,” a resident of the apartment said.
Chief Engineer (South Zone) Anantha Swamy has, in a press release, said that 350 metres of the Raja Kaluve had been encroached upon by 46 houses in Ittamadu.
He said that these property had been identified during a survey of the kaluve. On Thursday, 10 houses were demolished.
All the 46 houses would be brought down, the release said.
Several houses that had come up on the Raja Kaluve there were demolished during the drive while some property owners lost a portion of their property.
There were allegations that the BBMP did not issue notices to the property owners before demolition was taken up. Residents also said that they were taken by surprise. However, the residents said that the BBMP had marked their property about a fortnight ago, apparently for demolition.
“We have khata and have been paying tax for our property. These property have sanctioned plans, and despite these documents, our property were demolished,” said a resident, Chandrashekar, who lost a large portion of his property.
He also quoted other residents as saying that they had apprised the Lokayukta of the situation there. He said that the Lokayukta had asked these residents to meet him with the relevant documents.
Shankar, another resident, said that many owners had availed themselves of loans to construct houses there, and that they would be in trouble due to the demolition of their property.
Meanwhile, property owners who are likely to lose their buildings in the days to come started salvaging whatever they could before the BBMP takes up demolition. They removed iron grills, steel staircase, window and door frames on Thursday.
Though some residents charged the BBMP with going slow on an encroachment by an apartment complex on Ittamadu 1st Main, officials refuted the allegations.
“We will recover the 20-ft encroachment by the apartment in a couple of days,” a senior BBMP engineer said even as the apartment residents claimed that they had a map prepared by the BBMP showing that their building had not encroached upon the Raja Kaluve.
“We are even ready to offer an alternative space for the Raja Kaluve by which demolition of the building can be prevented,” a resident of the apartment said.
Chief Engineer (South Zone) Anantha Swamy has, in a press release, said that 350 metres of the Raja Kaluve had been encroached upon by 46 houses in Ittamadu.
He said that these property had been identified during a survey of the kaluve. On Thursday, 10 houses were demolished.
All the 46 houses would be brought down, the release said.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
EPFO website launched
The website of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) www.epfbng.kar.nic.in was launched here on Monday.
Speaking after launching the website and at the valedictory of Vigilance Awareness Week, the Additional Director-General of Police, Lokayukta, Karnataka, Rupak Kumar Datta, said that corruption could be checked through transparency.
He said that all the departments of the State Government should emulate this spirit and organise awareness programmes.
The Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Vijaraj, has, in a release, said that this was the first step towards the proposed modernisation programme of the EPFO which envisages e-supported service delivery.
Speaking after launching the website and at the valedictory of Vigilance Awareness Week, the Additional Director-General of Police, Lokayukta, Karnataka, Rupak Kumar Datta, said that corruption could be checked through transparency.
He said that all the departments of the State Government should emulate this spirit and organise awareness programmes.
The Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Vijaraj, has, in a release, said that this was the first step towards the proposed modernisation programme of the EPFO which envisages e-supported service delivery.
I will complete my term: Yeddyurappa
A day after the political stalemate gripping the BJP Government in Karnataka was resolved, B.S. Yeddyurappa asserted that he would complete the full term of five years as Chief Minister.
Speaking to journalists after holding an informal meeting with party MLAs and Ministers here on Monday, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the party central leaders, including president Rajnath Singh, had directed him to complete the full term of five years as Chief Minister.
He sought to underplay the formation of the core committee for bringing about coordination between the party and the government. “Core committee will not curtail the powers of the Chief Minister,” he said and pointed out that such committees had been formed in other States.
Replying to questions on whether there would be any reshuffle in ministerial portfolios , the Chief Minister only said that the proposed core committee would decide such issues. The committee was expected to be formed in two or three days. Mr. Yeddyurappa said his enthusiasm had grown after the resolution of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and BJP State unitpresident D.V. Sadananda Gowda seemed to have differed on the nature of solution to the crisis. While Mr. Yeddyurappa asserted the crisis was resolved permanently, Mr. Gowda maintained that a “temporary solution” was provided and it would take some time to get resolved permanently.
Speaking to journalists after holding an informal meeting with party MLAs and Ministers here on Monday, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the party central leaders, including president Rajnath Singh, had directed him to complete the full term of five years as Chief Minister.
He sought to underplay the formation of the core committee for bringing about coordination between the party and the government. “Core committee will not curtail the powers of the Chief Minister,” he said and pointed out that such committees had been formed in other States.
Replying to questions on whether there would be any reshuffle in ministerial portfolios , the Chief Minister only said that the proposed core committee would decide such issues. The committee was expected to be formed in two or three days. Mr. Yeddyurappa said his enthusiasm had grown after the resolution of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and BJP State unitpresident D.V. Sadananda Gowda seemed to have differed on the nature of solution to the crisis. While Mr. Yeddyurappa asserted the crisis was resolved permanently, Mr. Gowda maintained that a “temporary solution” was provided and it would take some time to get resolved permanently.
In Karnataka, Sushma rules
After the truce in the Karnataka BJP, the spotlight may now shift to the senior party leader, Ms Sushma Swaraj, who has emerged a key player in hammering out a formula to bring the two warring factions together and is likely to head a committee to oversee the party affairs.
Mr G. Janardhana Reddy, who became the “face” of the dissidents during the stalemate, has indicated that Ms Swaraj, as head of the new coordination committee, would have considerable clout in decision-making affairs in the BJP-ruled state.
Mr Reddy said the panel under Ms Swaraj’s leadership would “look after all government activity”, adding that she would devote one day a month to oversee Karnataka affairs.
“All the Ministers, MLAs... whatever their problems... whole state... every problem will be sorted out through the coordination committee. The committee will look after every problem of our MLAs. Whatever the committee (decision), he (Chief Minister Mr Yeddyurappa) has to listen,” he told reporters in Hyderabad late on Monday night.
It’s no secret that Mr Re-ddy’s group — the “stro-ngmen” of Bellary district — enjoy an excellent rapport with Swaraj, ever since she contested against the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, in Bellary 10 years ago.
Karnataka news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Mr G. Janardhana Reddy, who became the “face” of the dissidents during the stalemate, has indicated that Ms Swaraj, as head of the new coordination committee, would have considerable clout in decision-making affairs in the BJP-ruled state.
Mr Reddy said the panel under Ms Swaraj’s leadership would “look after all government activity”, adding that she would devote one day a month to oversee Karnataka affairs.
“All the Ministers, MLAs... whatever their problems... whole state... every problem will be sorted out through the coordination committee. The committee will look after every problem of our MLAs. Whatever the committee (decision), he (Chief Minister Mr Yeddyurappa) has to listen,” he told reporters in Hyderabad late on Monday night.
It’s no secret that Mr Re-ddy’s group — the “stro-ngmen” of Bellary district — enjoy an excellent rapport with Swaraj, ever since she contested against the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, in Bellary 10 years ago.
Karnataka news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Monday, November 9, 2009
Big brother Karunakar still an unhappy man?
The coming together of the BSY and Reddy camps could have made the MLAs holed up a Hyderabad hotel a much happier lot as they could soon be home. But what about revenue minister Karunakar Reddy, elder brother of Janardhan Reddy who struck the truce with Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa in New Delhi on Sunday?
The big brother’s discontent was more than obvious when he returned to his Bellary residence at around 11 am on Sunday from Bengaluru in a chopper even as Janardhan Reddy and health minister B. Sriramulu were holding talks with ‘Thayee’ Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. A source at the Reddy residence said Reddy senior shut himself in his room at around 3 pm and seemed pretty disappointed as he talked on the phone.
He sent a message to reporters waiting on the lawns at around 5.30 pm that he would not like to react to the developments after channels telecast visuals of Janardhan and Yeddyurappa joining hands. Sources in the Reddy camp said that though he was consulted at every stage, Karunakar was annoyed that their main demand—the CM’s removal— had not been met. He was also upset that Jagadish Shettar whom they had projected for the CM’s post, had gone ‘silent’ after his visit to Delhi.
The big brother’s discontent was more than obvious when he returned to his Bellary residence at around 11 am on Sunday from Bengaluru in a chopper even as Janardhan Reddy and health minister B. Sriramulu were holding talks with ‘Thayee’ Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. A source at the Reddy residence said Reddy senior shut himself in his room at around 3 pm and seemed pretty disappointed as he talked on the phone.
He sent a message to reporters waiting on the lawns at around 5.30 pm that he would not like to react to the developments after channels telecast visuals of Janardhan and Yeddyurappa joining hands. Sources in the Reddy camp said that though he was consulted at every stage, Karunakar was annoyed that their main demand—the CM’s removal— had not been met. He was also upset that Jagadish Shettar whom they had projected for the CM’s post, had gone ‘silent’ after his visit to Delhi.
BJP's Karnataka row blows over, for now
BJP's Karnataka crisis blew over, at least for the present, with chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and chief rebel Janardhana Reddy
offering each other cake at the residence of party veteran L K Advani who was celebrating his 82nd birthday.
The truce may have seemed like a birthday gift for Advani, but the cake could have tasted bitter for both Yeddyurappa and Reddy as its terms were not what either side really wanted. For the "Bellary brothers" - Janardhana and Karunakara - they have not been able to ensure changes in portfolios that will now be discussed by a coordination committee.
While the Reddys were keen to hold out for more, restiveness among their followers who feared an election if there was no deal and BJP high command's tough message to Karnataka Speaker Jagadish Shettar to stop being a rallying point for rebels yielded results. Janardhana arrived in Delhi on Saturday night.
The Reddys did draw blood with Yeddyurappa having got rid of his principal secretary V P Baligar and the imminent ouster of the CM's favourite minister Shobha Karandlaje. But no other minister is being dropped for now while Yeddyurappa has stood firm on not rescinding the transfers of officials from Bellary. Fresh postings will be made in consultation with the Reddys. Shettar is expected to be inducted into the ministry while any reshuffle will be discussed by the coordination panel.
The coordination committee will comprise the CM, Janardhana Reddy, state chief Sadanand Gowda, state leader S Satish and party organising secretary Santosh. The panel - a very similar arrangement to what Congress has set up to sort out factional pressures in Haryana - will certainly be seen as a dimunition of Yeddyurappa's powers. It has sufficient RSS representation though there is no central leader on it.
The CM will have to put up with a pressure group on issues like appointments which were his preserve.
The peace deal arrived at deputy leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj's residence on Sunday evening followed a slew of meetings involving Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu over the last three days. The deal may not be a lasting solution as BJP brass is all too aware of the enormous clout the Reddys, who are relative outsiders, have come to wield. Both sides can be expected to try and undercut one another with BJP working on MLAs who had fled to the rebel havens in Hyderabad.
BJP leaders are quite clear that Yeddyurappa has to be more mindful of MLAs and cannot take the plea that he was only being guided by the state's interests. His abrasive style - which his supporters say is more a case of preoccupation - would have to give way to one that is more persuasive. The CM would be quite aware that his in-house rivals like senior leader Ananth Kumar now have added purchase.
BJP insiders claim that their gambit of consistently ruling out a change of CM worked in the end as it was clear to the rebels that there were not many alternatives with Congress not willing to play ball with the Reddys for a topple game.
The entire central leadership was engaged in firefighting over the last couple of weeks since Jaitley had been rushed to Bangalore. "I will go by the advice and decision of my party leader," Yeddyurappa said after the meeting at Advani's residence. He has made relief for flood-hit areas his top priority.
Karnataka news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
offering each other cake at the residence of party veteran L K Advani who was celebrating his 82nd birthday.
The truce may have seemed like a birthday gift for Advani, but the cake could have tasted bitter for both Yeddyurappa and Reddy as its terms were not what either side really wanted. For the "Bellary brothers" - Janardhana and Karunakara - they have not been able to ensure changes in portfolios that will now be discussed by a coordination committee.
While the Reddys were keen to hold out for more, restiveness among their followers who feared an election if there was no deal and BJP high command's tough message to Karnataka Speaker Jagadish Shettar to stop being a rallying point for rebels yielded results. Janardhana arrived in Delhi on Saturday night.
The Reddys did draw blood with Yeddyurappa having got rid of his principal secretary V P Baligar and the imminent ouster of the CM's favourite minister Shobha Karandlaje. But no other minister is being dropped for now while Yeddyurappa has stood firm on not rescinding the transfers of officials from Bellary. Fresh postings will be made in consultation with the Reddys. Shettar is expected to be inducted into the ministry while any reshuffle will be discussed by the coordination panel.
The coordination committee will comprise the CM, Janardhana Reddy, state chief Sadanand Gowda, state leader S Satish and party organising secretary Santosh. The panel - a very similar arrangement to what Congress has set up to sort out factional pressures in Haryana - will certainly be seen as a dimunition of Yeddyurappa's powers. It has sufficient RSS representation though there is no central leader on it.
The CM will have to put up with a pressure group on issues like appointments which were his preserve.
The peace deal arrived at deputy leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj's residence on Sunday evening followed a slew of meetings involving Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu over the last three days. The deal may not be a lasting solution as BJP brass is all too aware of the enormous clout the Reddys, who are relative outsiders, have come to wield. Both sides can be expected to try and undercut one another with BJP working on MLAs who had fled to the rebel havens in Hyderabad.
BJP leaders are quite clear that Yeddyurappa has to be more mindful of MLAs and cannot take the plea that he was only being guided by the state's interests. His abrasive style - which his supporters say is more a case of preoccupation - would have to give way to one that is more persuasive. The CM would be quite aware that his in-house rivals like senior leader Ananth Kumar now have added purchase.
BJP insiders claim that their gambit of consistently ruling out a change of CM worked in the end as it was clear to the rebels that there were not many alternatives with Congress not willing to play ball with the Reddys for a topple game.
The entire central leadership was engaged in firefighting over the last couple of weeks since Jaitley had been rushed to Bangalore. "I will go by the advice and decision of my party leader," Yeddyurappa said after the meeting at Advani's residence. He has made relief for flood-hit areas his top priority.
Karnataka news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news, bangalore news,
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Passport Seva Kendras
Speaking about the continuing inefficiency at passport offices around the country, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said that apart from random, surprise visits at various passport offices, a pilot project of the Passport Seva Kendras would be started in Bangalore and Chandigarh next month. “We will have employees from Tata Consultancy Services run most of the logistical operations,” he said.
“If they are successful, we will roll out several of these across the country,” he added.
bangalore news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news,
“If they are successful, we will roll out several of these across the country,” he added.
bangalore news, Bangalore City, bangalore hot news,
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