The most common blood type in Indians seems to provide better protection against the most deadly form of malaria. British scientists have found that people with blood group O - around 38% of the Indian population - are naturally protected from some of the most severe forms of the disease, which kills around two million people annually across the globe.
A team from Edinburgh University, with researchers in the US, Mali and Kenya, studied African children and found that those with this blood type were two-thirds less likely to experience coma or life-threatening anaemia conditions synonymous with severe malaria.
This discovery now brings hope of developing drugs which mimic the properties of red cells. In fatal malaria, it is often found that red blood cells infected by parasites block blood vessels which supply oxygen to the brain.
The malarial parasites arm the blood cells’ surface with proteins which stick to blood vessel walls. O and B are the commonest blood group among Indians. Nearly 32% of north Indians and 38% south Indians have O blood group.
"The finding that red cells present in O group blood play the major role in preventing malaria from worsening is a significant finding for India. Blood is made of antigens or proteins, some of which show protection against certain diseases. Why that occurs has not been scientifically proven yet but statistically, they have shown significant protection rates," blood safety specialist Dr Debasish Gupta said.
Edinburgh University's Dr Alex Rowe, whose finding was published in the journal 'PNAS' on Tuesday, said, "This explains why some people are less likely to suffer from life-threatening malaria than others and tells us that if we can develop a drug to reduce rosetting and mimic the effect of being blood group O, we may reduce the number of children dying from severe malaria."
The scientists found that malaria parasites recruit healthy RBCs to stick to the parasite, encasing the infected RBC inside a so-called rosette. It makes the blockage, and the disease, worse.
However, the team's findings suggest that group O RBCs do not easily join rosettes as the cells surface structure prevents it from sticking. The study suggests that reduced rosetting of malaria parasites is the reason why people with group O blood are less likely to suffer severe malaria.
"ABO blood group types were assessed on 567 blood samples from Malian children. We found that blood group O was present in only 21% of the severe malaria cases compared to 45% of other blood groups. Rosetting was shown to be significantly lower in parasite isolates from patients with blood group O compared to non-O blood groups," the study said.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Kingfisher setting trends in Indian skies: Mallya
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Airlines is close to owning a 51 per cent majority stake in Air Deccan, Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya says. Kingfisher already has a 46 per cent in Deccan Aviation, the company that owns Air Deccan.
Mallya, flamboyant chief of United Breweries group -- the second largest liquor conglomerate in the world -- and owner of Kingfisher Airlines, says he is proud to have created an airline that can match the best in the world.
"I started Kingfisher Airlines in 2005 with a pledge to offer a world-class airline with a change in flying pleasure. This was a time when everybody laughed, including my competitors. In the last 29 months, Kingfisher Airline has changed the trend of aviation and has been lucky to be rated as one of the best airlines in India," Mallya told media in an interview.
"The airline has been a recipient of 27 awards in the last couple of months. This is a small contribution to my country by way of crating an airline which can match stride with rest of the world," Mallya said.
Kingfisher is the only carrier in domestic skies that offers in-flight entertainment on every seat, with a 16-channel live television, besides a gamut of in-flight offerings, he added.
Talking about his plans, Mallya said: "With its significant investment in Air Deccan, Kingfisher-Air Deccan is likely to emerge as one of the largest domestic airlines in India, linking 69 destinations and offering over 556 flights every day with a fleet strength of 87 aircraft."
Kingfisher will soon become majority stakeholder in Air Deccan, he affirmed.
"Kingfisher has bought 46 percent of Deccan Aviation and we are near to owning a majority stake (51 percent) in a short while. This will help Kingfisher Airlines leverage its aviation experience in the international flying space by 2008."
In a bid to offer a brand facelift, the airline has roped in a fresh face as its brand envoy, with a view to mirror the hopes, aspirations and lifestyle needs of generation next, who is now literally taking to the skies.
"We have a new brand ambassador in Deepika Padukone, Bollywood debutante and billed as a most promising newcomer in tinsel town," Mallya told media.
"Deepika is the sparkling new face of Kingfisher Airlines, thanks to the huge fan following she enjoys with the youth. She is not merely a passive brand ambassador but an image which epitomises a world-class flying ambiance."
Sharing the rationale behind choosing Padukone as the face of the airline, Mallya said: "Kingfisher Airlines, which has established itself as a market leader while setting new service benchmarks, has introduced this young Bollywood actor who happens to be from my hometown Bangalore. She also personifies the brand values of the airline.
"When we first launched Kingfisher Airlines, we had model-turned-Bollywood actor Yana Gupta as our brand ambassador. She was also associated with the Kingfisher calendar. Yana did an outstanding job in creating brand value for the airline during the initial launch phase.
"Today, Kingfisher Airlines (Kingfisher and Air Deccan combine), which is commanding a market share of almost 40 percent, feels a need for a vibrant emissary who could help in scaling the brand equity of aviation service."
Asked to comment on his grandiose lifestyle, Mallya said: "I have always done things very differently. Some often related it as my unique style. Some appreciated but most wondered about what I do. I am happy that several daily newspapers have rated us as one of the top-notch airlines in India. I am passionate about the values that I could create for the entire group."
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Mallya, flamboyant chief of United Breweries group -- the second largest liquor conglomerate in the world -- and owner of Kingfisher Airlines, says he is proud to have created an airline that can match the best in the world.
"I started Kingfisher Airlines in 2005 with a pledge to offer a world-class airline with a change in flying pleasure. This was a time when everybody laughed, including my competitors. In the last 29 months, Kingfisher Airline has changed the trend of aviation and has been lucky to be rated as one of the best airlines in India," Mallya told media in an interview.
"The airline has been a recipient of 27 awards in the last couple of months. This is a small contribution to my country by way of crating an airline which can match stride with rest of the world," Mallya said.
Kingfisher is the only carrier in domestic skies that offers in-flight entertainment on every seat, with a 16-channel live television, besides a gamut of in-flight offerings, he added.
Talking about his plans, Mallya said: "With its significant investment in Air Deccan, Kingfisher-Air Deccan is likely to emerge as one of the largest domestic airlines in India, linking 69 destinations and offering over 556 flights every day with a fleet strength of 87 aircraft."
Kingfisher will soon become majority stakeholder in Air Deccan, he affirmed.
"Kingfisher has bought 46 percent of Deccan Aviation and we are near to owning a majority stake (51 percent) in a short while. This will help Kingfisher Airlines leverage its aviation experience in the international flying space by 2008."
In a bid to offer a brand facelift, the airline has roped in a fresh face as its brand envoy, with a view to mirror the hopes, aspirations and lifestyle needs of generation next, who is now literally taking to the skies.
"We have a new brand ambassador in Deepika Padukone, Bollywood debutante and billed as a most promising newcomer in tinsel town," Mallya told media.
"Deepika is the sparkling new face of Kingfisher Airlines, thanks to the huge fan following she enjoys with the youth. She is not merely a passive brand ambassador but an image which epitomises a world-class flying ambiance."
Sharing the rationale behind choosing Padukone as the face of the airline, Mallya said: "Kingfisher Airlines, which has established itself as a market leader while setting new service benchmarks, has introduced this young Bollywood actor who happens to be from my hometown Bangalore. She also personifies the brand values of the airline.
"When we first launched Kingfisher Airlines, we had model-turned-Bollywood actor Yana Gupta as our brand ambassador. She was also associated with the Kingfisher calendar. Yana did an outstanding job in creating brand value for the airline during the initial launch phase.
"Today, Kingfisher Airlines (Kingfisher and Air Deccan combine), which is commanding a market share of almost 40 percent, feels a need for a vibrant emissary who could help in scaling the brand equity of aviation service."
Asked to comment on his grandiose lifestyle, Mallya said: "I have always done things very differently. Some often related it as my unique style. Some appreciated but most wondered about what I do. I am happy that several daily newspapers have rated us as one of the top-notch airlines in India. I am passionate about the values that I could create for the entire group."
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Organically Produced Food Is Highly Nutritious: EU Study
According to a new European Union-funded study, organically produced food is better than ordinary food. Organic food like fruits, vegetables and milk, contain more nutrients and may contain higher concentrations of cancer fighting and heart beneficial antioxidants.
Researchers said that the £12m four-year study’s complete findings will be published within next one year.Professor Carlo Leifert of the Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture based at Newcastle University, UK, who with his team are working on the EU funded project called the Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project, announced the findings.
Prof Leifert said that research results indicated that eating organic food was equivalent to eating an extra portion of fruit and vegetables each day.
Study results show organic food has up to 40 % more antioxidants than non-organically produced food. Organic milk contains up to 60 % more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.
Researchers grew fruit, vegetables and reared cattle on adjacent and non-organic sites across Europe, including 725 acre farm linked to Newcastle University.
Prof Leifert said, “We have shown there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods. Our research is now trying to find out where the difference between organic and conventional food comes from. What we’re really interested in is finding out why there is so much variability with respect to the differences. What in the agricultural system gives a higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in the food?”
He also hoped that the study findings would help farmers in organic to improve the quality of their produce.UK government’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), currently states, “Consumers may also choose to buy organic food because they believe that it is safer and more nutritious than other food. “However, the balance of current scientific evidence does not support this view.”
QualityLowInputFood (QLIF) is a European Union (EU) sponsored project that aims to improve quality, ensure safety and reduce cost along the organic and ‘low input’ food supply chains through research, dissemination and training activities.
topnews.in
Researchers said that the £12m four-year study’s complete findings will be published within next one year.Professor Carlo Leifert of the Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture based at Newcastle University, UK, who with his team are working on the EU funded project called the Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project, announced the findings.
Prof Leifert said that research results indicated that eating organic food was equivalent to eating an extra portion of fruit and vegetables each day.
Study results show organic food has up to 40 % more antioxidants than non-organically produced food. Organic milk contains up to 60 % more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.
Researchers grew fruit, vegetables and reared cattle on adjacent and non-organic sites across Europe, including 725 acre farm linked to Newcastle University.
Prof Leifert said, “We have shown there are more of certain nutritionally desirable compounds and less of the baddies in organic foods. Our research is now trying to find out where the difference between organic and conventional food comes from. What we’re really interested in is finding out why there is so much variability with respect to the differences. What in the agricultural system gives a higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in the food?”
He also hoped that the study findings would help farmers in organic to improve the quality of their produce.UK government’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), currently states, “Consumers may also choose to buy organic food because they believe that it is safer and more nutritious than other food. “However, the balance of current scientific evidence does not support this view.”
QualityLowInputFood (QLIF) is a European Union (EU) sponsored project that aims to improve quality, ensure safety and reduce cost along the organic and ‘low input’ food supply chains through research, dissemination and training activities.
topnews.in
Priyanka Chopra to team up with Virgin Comics
BANGALORE: Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is teaming up with Virgin Comics to create a new superhero character for comic books, animations and games.
The new content relationship makes Chopra the first Miss World winner to create a superhero property, Virgin Comics said in a statement.
The partnership also teams Chopra with media company Virgin Comics, founded by Sir Richard Branson, author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and enterpreneurs Sharad Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman.
"The new story, which is still being developed and currently unititled, deals with an adopted girl who discovers she has a far greater role to play as she is the latest in a line of princesses with great mystical power and a sworn duty to take down evil wherever it lurks," the statement said.
The story is expected to launch first as a comic book series in 2008. Virgin plans to work with Chopra to develop the story across numerous platforms including animation games and theatrical live-action film, it was stated.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
The new content relationship makes Chopra the first Miss World winner to create a superhero property, Virgin Comics said in a statement.
The partnership also teams Chopra with media company Virgin Comics, founded by Sir Richard Branson, author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and enterpreneurs Sharad Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman.
"The new story, which is still being developed and currently unititled, deals with an adopted girl who discovers she has a far greater role to play as she is the latest in a line of princesses with great mystical power and a sworn duty to take down evil wherever it lurks," the statement said.
The story is expected to launch first as a comic book series in 2008. Virgin plans to work with Chopra to develop the story across numerous platforms including animation games and theatrical live-action film, it was stated.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Jab We Met gets good opening
MUMBAI: With five new releases hitting the box-office last week, the Shahid and Kareena-starrer Jab We Met was the show stopper with a fairly good opening.
The film opened to a 70% response in Delhi and Punjab while it was 50-60% in other parts. Mumbai garnered 70% occupancy by Friday evening (27 October). Trade analysts pointed out that the film should emerge as a hit, with the film performing consistently across the country.
In Punjab and Delhi, the film did exceptionally well due to the local flavour and is poised to pick in the week. The other three movies, Bal Ganesh, Mumbai Salsa and No Smoking were damp squibs at the box-office with minuscule openings of 5-10%, No Smoking performed relatively better with 15-20%.
The one-week-old Hollywood flick Speed had a poor showing and has managed to muster business of Rs 1 crore business till date. Bhool Bhulaiyaa, in its second week, managed to keep its innings going with business of Rs 14 crore so far, and will emerge as a super hit if it manages to sustain itself in week three as well.
Meanwhile, Yashraj’s Laaga Chunari Mein Daag has fallen drastically in its second week. The film managed business of Rs 5 crore in its second week. Till date, the movie has made a total net gross collection of about Rs 18 crore.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
The film opened to a 70% response in Delhi and Punjab while it was 50-60% in other parts. Mumbai garnered 70% occupancy by Friday evening (27 October). Trade analysts pointed out that the film should emerge as a hit, with the film performing consistently across the country.
In Punjab and Delhi, the film did exceptionally well due to the local flavour and is poised to pick in the week. The other three movies, Bal Ganesh, Mumbai Salsa and No Smoking were damp squibs at the box-office with minuscule openings of 5-10%, No Smoking performed relatively better with 15-20%.
The one-week-old Hollywood flick Speed had a poor showing and has managed to muster business of Rs 1 crore business till date. Bhool Bhulaiyaa, in its second week, managed to keep its innings going with business of Rs 14 crore so far, and will emerge as a super hit if it manages to sustain itself in week three as well.
Meanwhile, Yashraj’s Laaga Chunari Mein Daag has fallen drastically in its second week. The film managed business of Rs 5 crore in its second week. Till date, the movie has made a total net gross collection of about Rs 18 crore.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Hyundai launches i10 from India
New Delhi: Hyundai Motor Company is not only looking to leverage India’s manufacturing capabilities to expand its presence in the global market and consolidate its presence in the premium compact car segment in the domestic market, but also enhance its research and development carried out from India.
The company on Wednesday unveiled its first car, i10 launched from India for the global markets.
“The new car will be a debut from India. It will be manufactured only out of the India plant,” said Hyundai Motor Company President, Mr Jae Kook Choi. Hyundai is currently the largest exporter of cars from India and with its second facility becoming operational, the country would become its largest base outside South Korea.
Mr Choi said that the company would be investing $40 million in expanding its research and development facility in Hyderabad and will employ 800 local engineers by 2009.
The company already has one centre with 100 engineers in Chennai. “We are investing in Hyderabad to set up a fully integrated R&D automotive facility to develop fully conceptualised cars that can be manufactured and exported from India,” said Mr Choi.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd, President and CEO, Mr H.S. Lheem, said that “By July, our second plant will be operational. This would increase our capacity to 5.3 lakh cars by next year, out of which 50 per cent will be exported and the remaining 50 per cent will be sold in the domestic market.”
The company that has currently about 18 per cent of the domestic market share has set a modest target of 20 per cent by next year. Commenting on future launches that could possibly take Hyundai's share closer to largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki, Mr Lheem said, "We have promised our dealers two new models every year for the domestic market. Yes, 20 per cent market share is a conservative target. But may be we can have another target after we achieve this."
HMIL is also setting up an engine and transmission facility at the same location where its second plant would be operational.
Bullish on the compact car segment, the company launched its i10 at a price between Rs 3.39 lakh and Rs 3.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the domestic market with a 1.1 litre petrol engine.
"Within the compact car segment that accounts for 70 per cent of the cars sold in India, mid size segment is growing at 54 per cent. While Santro is positioned as a low end compact car, i10 will be positioned in the premium category," said Mr Arvind Saxena, Sales and Marketing, HMIL.
The diesel variant of the car is expected by January next year for exports and later for the domestic market, said Mr Lheem.
thehindubusinessline.com
The company on Wednesday unveiled its first car, i10 launched from India for the global markets.
“The new car will be a debut from India. It will be manufactured only out of the India plant,” said Hyundai Motor Company President, Mr Jae Kook Choi. Hyundai is currently the largest exporter of cars from India and with its second facility becoming operational, the country would become its largest base outside South Korea.
Mr Choi said that the company would be investing $40 million in expanding its research and development facility in Hyderabad and will employ 800 local engineers by 2009.
The company already has one centre with 100 engineers in Chennai. “We are investing in Hyderabad to set up a fully integrated R&D automotive facility to develop fully conceptualised cars that can be manufactured and exported from India,” said Mr Choi.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd, President and CEO, Mr H.S. Lheem, said that “By July, our second plant will be operational. This would increase our capacity to 5.3 lakh cars by next year, out of which 50 per cent will be exported and the remaining 50 per cent will be sold in the domestic market.”
The company that has currently about 18 per cent of the domestic market share has set a modest target of 20 per cent by next year. Commenting on future launches that could possibly take Hyundai's share closer to largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki, Mr Lheem said, "We have promised our dealers two new models every year for the domestic market. Yes, 20 per cent market share is a conservative target. But may be we can have another target after we achieve this."
HMIL is also setting up an engine and transmission facility at the same location where its second plant would be operational.
Bullish on the compact car segment, the company launched its i10 at a price between Rs 3.39 lakh and Rs 3.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the domestic market with a 1.1 litre petrol engine.
"Within the compact car segment that accounts for 70 per cent of the cars sold in India, mid size segment is growing at 54 per cent. While Santro is positioned as a low end compact car, i10 will be positioned in the premium category," said Mr Arvind Saxena, Sales and Marketing, HMIL.
The diesel variant of the car is expected by January next year for exports and later for the domestic market, said Mr Lheem.
thehindubusinessline.com
Vitamin A may reduce risk of lung cancer
New York: A derivative of vitamin A may help cut down the risk of lung cancer in former smokers by reducing the growth of lung cells, a new study has found.
Former smokers remain at elevated risk for lung cancer as lung cells that were damaged during years of smoking may continue to grow and evolve into cancer even after a person has quit smoking.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. It kills 1.3 million people worldwide annually.
Researchers from the University of Texas studied about 225 former heavy smokers and found that retonic acid, a vitamin A derivative, reduced lung cell growth in them, reported health portal Medical News Today.
Vitamin A can be found in cheese, eggs, oily fish such as mackerel, milk, fortified margarine and yoghurt.
sify.com
Former smokers remain at elevated risk for lung cancer as lung cells that were damaged during years of smoking may continue to grow and evolve into cancer even after a person has quit smoking.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. It kills 1.3 million people worldwide annually.
Researchers from the University of Texas studied about 225 former heavy smokers and found that retonic acid, a vitamin A derivative, reduced lung cell growth in them, reported health portal Medical News Today.
Vitamin A can be found in cheese, eggs, oily fish such as mackerel, milk, fortified margarine and yoghurt.
sify.com
Mobile 2.0 is here — and Indians are making IT happen
Nokia’s developer event is launch pad for desi innovation
Bangkok (Thailand), Oct. 31 If the much touted Web 2.0 — the Internet’s Second — community-based — Coming, is already upon us, can its cellular-phone based avatar, Mobile 2.0, be far behind?
Nokia, the world’s largest mobile phone maker thinks it is high time – and its summit for the developer community, which opened here on Tuesday, helped showcase what customers can expect by way of compelling next-generation value-additions in the coming months.
Hotbed of innovation
A strong contingent of developers from India — many of them start-ups — had an unstated message for the assembled delegates from world-over. This was not just one of the biggest and fastest growing markets for cellular services; it was also a hotbed of innovation in mobile applications.
As an interesting aside on what is seen in India to drive the mobile business, almost all the desi technologies on display were in the enterprise space – while Chinese players seemed to be concentrating on applications in the entertainment and gaming arena.
Putting the Maharashtra metro firmly on the map as a creative hothouse, were two Pune-based firms whose offerings seemed to complement rather than compete.
Persistent Systems showcased a mobile-based enterprise content search tool where search engines like Yahoo or Google could be integrated with a corporate database like Oracle or SAP and the contents searched even from the mobile phone of an authorised user.
Another Pune-based player, Mobien Technologies showed a tool which synchronised the home Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with the mobile phone so that data could be exchanged – even a dot matrix printer remotely activated.
Bluetooth application
In an application targeted at telecom providers, the Gurgaon-based Aims Migital showed how the Bluetooth connectivity of many phones could be leveraged to increase footfalls in shops and malls – by messaging phone owners going past a particular retail outlet. It is already being tried out in many Delhi malls, the Migital General Manager, Mr Rishi Dawar, said.
The UK and Singapore-based Affle, a mobile developer with a Gurgaon research base, offered service providers the means to add a second layer to the SMS message – pushing cricket scores, stock prices and other value-additions in the often used screen space of a text message.
‘interactive SMS’
The Noida-based start-up MCarbon will shortly launch in the Indian market its first product – an ‘interactive SMS’ solution. This will convert static SMS messages into dynamic tools that will interact, live with the users and allow them to access services of their choice, explained MCarbon’s Director-Sales and Marketing, Mr Rajesh Razdan.
Mr Shankar Meembat, Regional Director (Asia-Pacific) for Forum Nokia — the developer outreach of the Finnish handset maker — explained that the customer will increasingly drive mobile content and services — and telecom providers would ignore this at their peril.
Mr Meembat told Business Line that while India had about 1.3 million software developers, only a tenth of this number were known to be addressing mobile applications. Indian developers had a huge potential to leverage the global market for convergence solutions in the cellular space, he felt. Forum Nokia already counted over 1 lakh members in India – the largest chunk of developers in Asia-Pacific.
thehindubusinessline.com
Bangkok (Thailand), Oct. 31 If the much touted Web 2.0 — the Internet’s Second — community-based — Coming, is already upon us, can its cellular-phone based avatar, Mobile 2.0, be far behind?
Nokia, the world’s largest mobile phone maker thinks it is high time – and its summit for the developer community, which opened here on Tuesday, helped showcase what customers can expect by way of compelling next-generation value-additions in the coming months.
Hotbed of innovation
A strong contingent of developers from India — many of them start-ups — had an unstated message for the assembled delegates from world-over. This was not just one of the biggest and fastest growing markets for cellular services; it was also a hotbed of innovation in mobile applications.
As an interesting aside on what is seen in India to drive the mobile business, almost all the desi technologies on display were in the enterprise space – while Chinese players seemed to be concentrating on applications in the entertainment and gaming arena.
Putting the Maharashtra metro firmly on the map as a creative hothouse, were two Pune-based firms whose offerings seemed to complement rather than compete.
Persistent Systems showcased a mobile-based enterprise content search tool where search engines like Yahoo or Google could be integrated with a corporate database like Oracle or SAP and the contents searched even from the mobile phone of an authorised user.
Another Pune-based player, Mobien Technologies showed a tool which synchronised the home Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with the mobile phone so that data could be exchanged – even a dot matrix printer remotely activated.
Bluetooth application
In an application targeted at telecom providers, the Gurgaon-based Aims Migital showed how the Bluetooth connectivity of many phones could be leveraged to increase footfalls in shops and malls – by messaging phone owners going past a particular retail outlet. It is already being tried out in many Delhi malls, the Migital General Manager, Mr Rishi Dawar, said.
The UK and Singapore-based Affle, a mobile developer with a Gurgaon research base, offered service providers the means to add a second layer to the SMS message – pushing cricket scores, stock prices and other value-additions in the often used screen space of a text message.
‘interactive SMS’
The Noida-based start-up MCarbon will shortly launch in the Indian market its first product – an ‘interactive SMS’ solution. This will convert static SMS messages into dynamic tools that will interact, live with the users and allow them to access services of their choice, explained MCarbon’s Director-Sales and Marketing, Mr Rajesh Razdan.
Mr Shankar Meembat, Regional Director (Asia-Pacific) for Forum Nokia — the developer outreach of the Finnish handset maker — explained that the customer will increasingly drive mobile content and services — and telecom providers would ignore this at their peril.
Mr Meembat told Business Line that while India had about 1.3 million software developers, only a tenth of this number were known to be addressing mobile applications. Indian developers had a huge potential to leverage the global market for convergence solutions in the cellular space, he felt. Forum Nokia already counted over 1 lakh members in India – the largest chunk of developers in Asia-Pacific.
thehindubusinessline.com
Xenitis Unveils Sub 20K Laptop
Xenitis has added the lowest-ever priced laptop, "Xuva T14WN", to its existing 'Xuva' portfolio.
The new laptop caters to low-end consumers, including students and entry-level professionals.
The laptop configurations are: Intel Celeron M 1.4Ghz (360), 256 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, Combo 3-in 1 Card Reader, Intel 945GM Chip Set, and 14.1-inches WXGA LCD.
Santanu Ghosh, chairman and managing director of Xenitis Group, said seeing the massive growth potential of laptop computers in India, they'd thought of launching this sub-20K laptop as a sort of 'peoples laptop'.
The "Xuva T14WN" can be upgraded as per users' requirements. It is available at all dealer outlets for Rs 19,900.
techtree.com
The new laptop caters to low-end consumers, including students and entry-level professionals.
The laptop configurations are: Intel Celeron M 1.4Ghz (360), 256 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, Combo 3-in 1 Card Reader, Intel 945GM Chip Set, and 14.1-inches WXGA LCD.
Santanu Ghosh, chairman and managing director of Xenitis Group, said seeing the massive growth potential of laptop computers in India, they'd thought of launching this sub-20K laptop as a sort of 'peoples laptop'.
The "Xuva T14WN" can be upgraded as per users' requirements. It is available at all dealer outlets for Rs 19,900.
techtree.com
Aishwarya brings in birthday at the Taj Mahal
It can't be anything by destiny. Aishwarya Rai, who will be playing Mumtaz Mahal in Ben Kingsley's film on the Taj Mahal, brought in her birthday 34th birthday in Agra with her real-life Shah Jehan."It sounds so dramatic and romantic," said a giggly Ash. "It's nothing like that. I'm bringing it in with Abhishek, Ma and Pa. Abhishek was shooting an ad in Agra on Wednesday. So I joined him with Ma (mom-in-law Jaya Bachchan) and now Pa (father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan) has also joined us. So you could say it's a perfect birthday by the Taj Mahal, though not quite at the Taj Mahal. Have you seen the crowds over there? We can't risk going to the Taj Mahal, but it's just a stone's throw away. It's a pity my parents couldn't join us here in Agra."
It's been a hectic time for Aishwarya. "I came back from the US from shooting Pink Panther in time for Karwa Chauth. God knows how the cameras got our shots, probably from neighbour's premise. We're just leading our lives normally.I don't know why or how the press has this hunger to know about us."
She laughs, "This is my first birthday after marriage and therefore a very special occasion. Spending time with the people I love is my greatest joy. I'm in a very happy place. And I don't mean Agra. Just being with three people who mean so much to me makes my life complete. God has been kind. There's great fulfillment in love and in being loved , by not just my husband but his parents who are now my parents. We're one family and we all love one another."
She'll be heading straight to Karjat after her birthday for the last two days' shooting of Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodha-Akbar.
She's excited about doing the Taj Mahal film with Ben Kingsley. "On the first day of shooting The Last Legion with him he walked up to me he said, 'I've this idea.' He told me about the Shah Jehan-Mumtaz Mahal film that he'd like to do . You know, how many Taj Mahal scripts have come my way? I told Ben there have been many occasions when this subject has come to me. But there was something exceptionally interesting about the way he approached the subject. And yes, the whole process of discussing the subject with him was participative. After The Last Legion I kind of put it in the back of my mind. But earlier this year he confirmed it was on."
At the moment it's Jodha-Akbar that occupies Aishwarya's mind. "You know me. Once I get into a subject I'm totally into it. But yes, I'm looking forward to working with Sir Ben again."
What does she want for her birthday? She thinks a while and says, "Just blessings and good wishes. Apart from that God has given me everything."
sify.com
Mallya joins Deccan board as Vice Chairman
MUMBAI: Deccan Aviation Ltd, which runs budget airline Air Deccan, on Wednesday said Vijay Mallya has been co-opted as an additional director and vice-chairman of the board of the company.
Mallya's UB Group had acquired a 26-per cent stake in Deccan Aviation in May this year, which it raised to 46 per cent through an open offer that ended earlier this month.
Deccan Aviation said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange today that at the board meeting held today decided to induct Vijay Mallya, A K Ravi Nedungadi and Hitesh Harshad Patel as Additional Directors with immediate effect to hold office until the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
"Vijay Mallya has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company," the filing said further.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
Mallya's UB Group had acquired a 26-per cent stake in Deccan Aviation in May this year, which it raised to 46 per cent through an open offer that ended earlier this month.
Deccan Aviation said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange today that at the board meeting held today decided to induct Vijay Mallya, A K Ravi Nedungadi and Hitesh Harshad Patel as Additional Directors with immediate effect to hold office until the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
"Vijay Mallya has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company," the filing said further.
economictimes.indiatimes.com
BU teachers oppose semester scheme
BANGALORE: The Bangalore University College Teachers Association (BUCTA) has opposed semester examinations for degree programmes of Bangalore University.
Urging vice-chancellor H A Ranganath to reconsider the issue and revert to the annual scheme in the larger interest of students, BUCTA president K G Lokesh said the conduct of two examinations in one year itself in over 650 colleges under the university had turned chaotic, affecting students, parents as well as teachers.
There is also severe staff shortage in the examination wing and academic section, Lokesh said.
Besides, there are no teachers in the colleges to teach newly introduced compulsory subjects like computer application, Indian constitution and environmental science, Lokesh pointed out.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Urging vice-chancellor H A Ranganath to reconsider the issue and revert to the annual scheme in the larger interest of students, BUCTA president K G Lokesh said the conduct of two examinations in one year itself in over 650 colleges under the university had turned chaotic, affecting students, parents as well as teachers.
There is also severe staff shortage in the examination wing and academic section, Lokesh said.
Besides, there are no teachers in the colleges to teach newly introduced compulsory subjects like computer application, Indian constitution and environmental science, Lokesh pointed out.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
