Sathya Sai Baba dead - Live updates

Sathya Sai Baba who was in critical condition for last 28 days passed away on April 24, 2011 at 7.40 am. He was admitted in a super-specialty hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparthi which he himself had created for the common people. After being on ventilator support for many days with all his vital parameters failing, Sai Baba died of cardio-respiratory failure. More


7.30 pm: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said she was greatly pained over the death of Sathya Sai Baba.

"The news of the death of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has greatly pained me. He was a spiritual person in whom lakhs of people had faith. In his lifetime, he inspired the people of this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and religion," she said. More

7.00 pm:Thousands of devotees, from commoners to VIPs and celebrities, are making their way to the pilgrim town for a last glimpse of Sai Baba, whose body will be kept at Sai Kulwant Hall in Puttaparthi on Monday and Tuesdayof Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram he founded.

6.35 pm: Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai expressed deep shock and sorrow over the demise of prominent religious leader Sri Satya Sai Baba.

In his condolence message, Sahai said: "Sai Baba was one of the great saints of India who dedicated his entire life to philanthropy."

"Baba's passing away is a irreparable loss to the country. Shri Sahai said Baba will be remembered for his nobel deeds. May god give strength to million of his followers to face this tragedy," he added. More

6.00 pm: Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah Sunday condoled the death of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, describing it as a 'grave loss' to his devotees the world over.

5.35 pm: Gripped by grief, tearful devotees chanted prayers at ''Brindavan'', Sathya Sai Baba's ashram at Whitefield on the outskirts of the Bangalore.

In some parts of the city, devotees took out a procession carrying portraits of Sai Baba and chanted slogans like "Baba is not with us physically. But he remains with us forever".

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Governor H R Bhardwaj condoled Sai Baba's death.Read more


5.00 pm: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound grief at the death of Sri Sathya Sai Baba today.
In his condolence message, Kumar said Sai Baba''s death was an irreparable loss to the society and his sermons will continue to guide and inspire people. More

4.30 pm: Many of the millions of followers of Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away Sunday morning at Puttaparthi, believe he will be reborn as 'Prema Sai' in Mandya, Karnataka. Read more

4.00 pm:"The light of love, compassion and service to humanity that lit from Puttaparthi is extinguished. He gave love to those who needed, gave education to those denied, provided health services to those who could not afford above all provided water to those who were thirsty," said Krishna in his condolence message.
"He was a Yuga Purush, who inspired millions in the country and outside. He interpreted spirituality in terms of love and service, secular approach to issues was his hall mark. He provoked us to act affirmatively in life. Let us continue to walk his path," he added. More

3.30 pm: A string of Bollywood personalities have expressed grief over the death of Satya Sai Baba who breathed his last today morning following prolonged illness. More on Yahoo! India News

3.00 pm: Orissa Governor M C Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed grief over the death of Sathya Sai Baba saying his message of love and compassion guided millions worldwide. More

2.30 pm: Sachin Tendulkar, who skipped his birthday celebrations in the wake of Sathya Sai Baba's death, decided to go ahead with playing the Mumbai Indians IPL match against Deccan Chargers. More


2.00 pm: Andhra Pradesh CM declares 4 days state mourning. The burial will take place on Wednesday. Baba’s funeral will be conducted with full state honours.

.....Sathya Sai Baba dead - Live updates
Yahoo! India News – Sun, Apr 24, 2011 10:37 AM IST
....retweet
EmailPrint.....Sathya Sai Baba who was in critical condition for last 28 days passed away on April 24, 2011 at 7.40 am. He was admitted in a super-specialty hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparthi which he himself had created for the common people. After being on ventilator support for many days with all his vital parameters failing, Sai Baba died of cardio-respiratory failure. More


7.30 pm: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said she was greatly pained over the death of Sathya Sai Baba.

"The news of the death of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has greatly pained me. He was a spiritual person in whom lakhs of people had faith. In his lifetime, he inspired the people of this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and religion," she said. More

7.00 pm:Thousands of devotees, from commoners to VIPs and celebrities, are making their way to the pilgrim town for a last glimpse of Sai Baba, whose body will be kept at Sai Kulwant Hall in Puttaparthi on Monday and Tuesdayof Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram he founded.

6.35 pm: Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai expressed deep shock and sorrow over the demise of prominent religious leader Sri Satya Sai Baba.

In his condolence message, Sahai said: "Sai Baba was one of the great saints of India who dedicated his entire life to philanthropy."

"Baba's passing away is a irreparable loss to the country. Shri Sahai said Baba will be remembered for his nobel deeds. May god give strength to million of his followers to face this tragedy," he added. More

6.00 pm: Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah Sunday condoled the death of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, describing it as a 'grave loss' to his devotees the world over.

5.35 pm: Gripped by grief, tearful devotees chanted prayers at ''Brindavan'', Sathya Sai Baba's ashram at Whitefield on the outskirts of the Bangalore.

In some parts of the city, devotees took out a procession carrying portraits of Sai Baba and chanted slogans like "Baba is not with us physically. But he remains with us forever".

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Governor H R Bhardwaj condoled Sai Baba's death.Read more


5.00 pm: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound grief at the death of Sri Sathya Sai Baba today.
In his condolence message, Kumar said Sai Baba''s death was an irreparable loss to the society and his sermons will continue to guide and inspire people. More

4.30 pm: Many of the millions of followers of Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away Sunday morning at Puttaparthi, believe he will be reborn as 'Prema Sai' in Mandya, Karnataka. Read more

4.00 pm:"The light of love, compassion and service to humanity that lit from Puttaparthi is extinguished. He gave love to those who needed, gave education to those denied, provided health services to those who could not afford above all provided water to those who were thirsty," said Krishna in his condolence message.
"He was a Yuga Purush, who inspired millions in the country and outside. He interpreted spirituality in terms of love and service, secular approach to issues was his hall mark. He provoked us to act affirmatively in life. Let us continue to walk his path," he added. More

3.30 pm: A string of Bollywood personalities have expressed grief over the death of Satya Sai Baba who breathed his last today morning following prolonged illness. More on Yahoo! India News

3.00 pm: Orissa Governor M C Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed grief over the death of Sathya Sai Baba saying his message of love and compassion guided millions worldwide. More

2.30 pm: Sachin Tendulkar, who skipped his birthday celebrations in the wake of Sathya Sai Baba's death, decided to go ahead with playing the Mumbai Indians IPL match against Deccan Chargers. More


2.00 pm: Andhra Pradesh CM declares 4 days state mourning. The burial will take place on Wednesday. Baba’s funeral will be conducted with full state honours.




1.25 pm: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Sathya Sai Baba, saying he was an inspiration to people of all faiths. Vice President Hamid Ansari and Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani also expressed sorrow at the passing away of the spiritual guru.

'I express my sincere condolences to the millions of his followers, disciples and well wishers,' Manmohan Singh said in his condolence message.

LK Advani said, "I offer a tearful homage to his great soul. I would like to go for the anthyesthi kriya (last rites). I first came in contact with him only after my incarceration during 1975-77 emergency in Bangalore jail. And after that I have been meeting him quite frequently...and it has always been inspirational for me to meet him to get his guidance". More on this story
1.10 pm: Sathya Sai Baba: A village boy who became demi god

Sathya Sai Baba was seen as a reincarnation of god by millions, having preached an eclectic blend of Hindu religion since the time he claimed to be an 'avatar' at a young age of 14.

Born Sathyanarayana Raju Nov 23, 1926 in Puttaparthi, his devotees claimed he started singing Sanskrit verses, of which he had no knowledge, one day in March 1940 after being apparently stung by a scorpion.


Within two months, the teenager claimed to be a reincarnation of the more famous Shirdi Sai Baba, who had reportedly stated before his death in 1918 that he would reappear in the then Madras Presidency eight years later. More


12.40 pm: "I am deeply grieved to learn about the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai. Baba's message of love should be our guiding light in this trying hour. Baba's words and actions have lit the lamp of love in the hearts of devotees," said Vice President Ansari. More on Yahoo! India News


12.30 pm: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan expressing deep shock over the demise of prominent religious leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that he was a living god and the strength of people in and around the world. Read more


12.20 pm: Karnataka State Transport Corporation said it would run special buses to Puttaparthi to enable devotees from the state to pay their last respects to Sai Baba who passed away this morning.

12.10 pm: Iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was a sad man on his 38th birthday today as his spiritual guru Satya Sai Baba passed away this morning. So no celebrations

12.05 pm: From ordinary believers to the President of India, his clout spread far and wide but controversy also followed Puttaparthi Satya Sai Baba all along. But still no godmen could match Satya Sai Baba's name and fame.Read more


11.41 am: Last rites is scheduled for Tuesday.




11.38 am: On Times now, one of Baba's doctor says medically everything was done to save Baba.


11.27 am: Here is BBC's obituary of Sathya Sai Baba's death.

11.23 am: Devotees can pay their final respects after 6pm today.


11.10 am: BJP leader LK advani offers his condolences. Says Baba had shown him the way several times.

10.45 am: Security has been heightened in Puttaparthi as many VVIPs are expected to arrive in the next two days.

.....Sathya Sai Baba dead - Live updates
Yahoo! India News – Sun, Apr 24, 2011 10:37 AM IST
....retweet
EmailPrint.....Sathya Sai Baba who was in critical condition for last 28 days passed away on April 24, 2011 at 7.40 am. He was admitted in a super-specialty hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparthi which he himself had created for the common people. After being on ventilator support for many days with all his vital parameters failing, Sai Baba died of cardio-respiratory failure. More


7.30 pm: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said she was greatly pained over the death of Sathya Sai Baba.

"The news of the death of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has greatly pained me. He was a spiritual person in whom lakhs of people had faith. In his lifetime, he inspired the people of this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and religion," she said. More

7.00 pm:Thousands of devotees, from commoners to VIPs and celebrities, are making their way to the pilgrim town for a last glimpse of Sai Baba, whose body will be kept at Sai Kulwant Hall in Puttaparthi on Monday and Tuesdayof Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram he founded.

6.35 pm: Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai expressed deep shock and sorrow over the demise of prominent religious leader Sri Satya Sai Baba.

In his condolence message, Sahai said: "Sai Baba was one of the great saints of India who dedicated his entire life to philanthropy."

"Baba's passing away is a irreparable loss to the country. Shri Sahai said Baba will be remembered for his nobel deeds. May god give strength to million of his followers to face this tragedy," he added. More

6.00 pm: Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah Sunday condoled the death of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, describing it as a 'grave loss' to his devotees the world over.

5.35 pm: Gripped by grief, tearful devotees chanted prayers at ''Brindavan'', Sathya Sai Baba's ashram at Whitefield on the outskirts of the Bangalore.

In some parts of the city, devotees took out a procession carrying portraits of Sai Baba and chanted slogans like "Baba is not with us physically. But he remains with us forever".

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Governor H R Bhardwaj condoled Sai Baba's death.Read more


5.00 pm: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed profound grief at the death of Sri Sathya Sai Baba today.
In his condolence message, Kumar said Sai Baba''s death was an irreparable loss to the society and his sermons will continue to guide and inspire people. More

4.30 pm: Many of the millions of followers of Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away Sunday morning at Puttaparthi, believe he will be reborn as 'Prema Sai' in Mandya, Karnataka. Read more

4.00 pm:"The light of love, compassion and service to humanity that lit from Puttaparthi is extinguished. He gave love to those who needed, gave education to those denied, provided health services to those who could not afford above all provided water to those who were thirsty," said Krishna in his condolence message.
"He was a Yuga Purush, who inspired millions in the country and outside. He interpreted spirituality in terms of love and service, secular approach to issues was his hall mark. He provoked us to act affirmatively in life. Let us continue to walk his path," he added. More

3.30 pm: A string of Bollywood personalities have expressed grief over the death of Satya Sai Baba who breathed his last today morning following prolonged illness. More on Yahoo! India News

3.00 pm: Orissa Governor M C Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed grief over the death of Sathya Sai Baba saying his message of love and compassion guided millions worldwide. More

2.30 pm: Sachin Tendulkar, who skipped his birthday celebrations in the wake of Sathya Sai Baba's death, decided to go ahead with playing the Mumbai Indians IPL match against Deccan Chargers. More


2.00 pm: Andhra Pradesh CM declares 4 days state mourning. The burial will take place on Wednesday. Baba’s funeral will be conducted with full state honours.


Sri Sathya Sai Baba passes away
Reports said on Sunday that Sri Sathya Sai Baba has passed away, hours after his condition deteriorated further and his organs stopped responding to treatment.Reports said Sai Baba breathed last ...


1.25 pm: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Sathya Sai Baba, saying he was an inspiration to people of all faiths. Vice President Hamid Ansari and Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani also expressed sorrow at the passing away of the spiritual guru.

'I express my sincere condolences to the millions of his followers, disciples and well wishers,' Manmohan Singh said in his condolence message.

LK Advani said, "I offer a tearful homage to his great soul. I would like to go for the anthyesthi kriya (last rites). I first came in contact with him only after my incarceration during 1975-77 emergency in Bangalore jail. And after that I have been meeting him quite frequently...and it has always been inspirational for me to meet him to get his guidance". More on this story
1.10 pm: Sathya Sai Baba: A village boy who became demi god

Sathya Sai Baba was seen as a reincarnation of god by millions, having preached an eclectic blend of Hindu religion since the time he claimed to be an 'avatar' at a young age of 14.

Born Sathyanarayana Raju Nov 23, 1926 in Puttaparthi, his devotees claimed he started singing Sanskrit verses, of which he had no knowledge, one day in March 1940 after being apparently stung by a scorpion.



Within two months, the teenager claimed to be a reincarnation of the more famous Shirdi Sai Baba, who had reportedly stated before his death in 1918 that he would reappear in the then Madras Presidency eight years later. More


12.40 pm: "I am deeply grieved to learn about the passing away of Sri Sathya Sai. Baba's message of love should be our guiding light in this trying hour. Baba's words and actions have lit the lamp of love in the hearts of devotees," said Vice President Ansari. More on Yahoo! India News


12.30 pm: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan expressing deep shock over the demise of prominent religious leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that he was a living god and the strength of people in and around the world. Read more


12.20 pm: Karnataka State Transport Corporation said it would run special buses to Puttaparthi to enable devotees from the state to pay their last respects to Sai Baba who passed away this morning.

12.10 pm: Iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was a sad man on his 38th birthday today as his spiritual guru Satya Sai Baba passed away this morning. So no celebrations

12.05 pm: From ordinary believers to the President of India, his clout spread far and wide but controversy also followed Puttaparthi Satya Sai Baba all along. But still no godmen could match Satya Sai Baba's name and fame.Read more


11.41 am: Last rites is scheduled for Tuesday.






11.38 am: On Times now, one of Baba's doctor says medically everything was done to save Baba.


11.27 am: Here is BBC's obituary of Sathya Sai Baba's death.

11.23 am: Devotees can pay their final respects after 6pm today.


11.10 am: BJP leader LK advani offers his condolences. Says Baba had shown him the way several times.

10.45 am: Security has been heightened in Puttaparthi as many VVIPs are expected to arrive in the next two days.


10.21 am: Devotees from around the world have been pouring in over the past week. Special arrangements are being made to accommodate thousands more devotees in the town.

10.15am: The AP chief minister and Governor on his way to Puttaparthi.

9.00 am:Spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba dies this morning around 7:40am. His body will be shifted to his ashram. Sai Baba's body will lie in state for two days.

A complete shut down has been called for at Puttaparthi.

Sai Baba was hospitalised on March 28. He died of cardiac and respiratory failure. He was 85.

....

14-year-old Chennai girl is world’s youngest CEO

Many of us dream of becoming a CEO of a company. But to get there requires the right qualifications, lots of hard work and years of experience.

But Sindhuja Rajaraman is different. She has become the CEO of Seppan, a Chennai based animation company at just 14 years of age.

Now, many will ask what has she done to become a CEO!

Well, Sindhuja is extremely gifted and talented when it comes to animation. Secondly, she has the backing of her father – who realises she can make it really big one day.

Sindhuja was adjudged the fastest 2D and 3D animator by software lobby NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) at the Gaming and Animation Conclave held in Hyderabad last year.

Besides that, She is the youngest digital caricaturist certified by Corel Corporation.

Sindhuja may soon register her name in the Guiness Book of World Records. She has attempted to make a three minute animation film in 10 hours.

Big companies have approached Sindhuja but she has other plans. She wishes to study more. She aims to study animation at the Vancouver Film School, Canada. Sindhuja also aims to build her company into a big one.

Like they say “Where there is a will there is a way”. Lets hope this bright little CEO makes it big and inspires many to follow her footsteps.

Wipro’s new CEO to get Rs 10 Cr a year salary

Indian IT major Wipro has decided to pay its new CEO T.K Kurien a whopping Rs 10 Crore annual salary package.
Kurien’s salary is in the range of minimum of Rs 3 crore to a maximum of Rs 10 crore a year, Wipro said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Kurien’s salary will include variable pay, leave travel allowance, commutation allowance, educational allowance, house rent allowance, provident fund, gratuity and other retirement benefit contributions apart from other benefits.

Few salary packages can match this in the IT industry.

CEO Salaries of other Indian IT majors:

S Ramadorai, Managing Director, TCS : Rs 3.61 crore.

S Gopalakrishnan, CEO and MD, Infosys: Rs 1.01 crore.

Earlier this year, Wipro did away with their joint CEO system by sacking joint CEOs Girish Paranjpe and Suresh Vaswani. Wipro Chariman Azim Premji wanted things to be more efficient with a single CEO the the helm.

Prior to this appointment, Kurien was President of Wipro’s recently launched Eco Energy business. He has been with the company for over 10 years now.

500 Indians sue US company for Human trafficking

Over 500 Indian “guest workers” who were brought to the US to work in shipyards after Hurricane Katrina are suing American company Signal International and other entities on charges of human trafficking and racketeering.

This lawsuit could well be the largest human trafficking case in US history, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a statement.

According to reports, Signal International brought the workers into the US on the H-2B visa with false promises of helping them attain permanent US resident status.

The complaint alleges that once in the US the workers were subjected to squalid living conditions, psychological abuse, inadequate payment for their work and threats of serious legal and physical harm.

Talent crunch,attrition may put India behind other BPO nations

Talent crunch and soaring attrition rate might push India behind other BPO giants, according to a study by ASSOCHAM.

India�s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector is facing stiff competition from the likes of Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Canada and Ireland that are posing a grave threat to the growth of India�s BPO sector, said the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India.

The BPO industry is facing serious challenges vis-a-vis vis shortage of skilled and educated workers as the attrition rate in India�s BPO sector has risen phenomenally at the rate of 55 per cent with a significant visible movement in mid and senior management levels.

"Although, the BPO sector in India has been very popular since the beginning, as it has opened up plenty of job opportunities and has totted up huge revenue, the awfully high attrition rate coupled with talent crisis has plagued the sector since the very beginning," said ASSOCHAM Secretary General, D S Rawat.

According to the business chamber''s analysis, BPO-ITes sector has emerged at the top with highest attrition rate of 65 per cent during the course of last two years, giving a serious jolt to India�s prospects, which was till then the most sought after BPO destination.

Services offered by the IT/ITes and BPO in the domains of pharma and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) have registered an attrition rate of around 60 per cent. In the domains of retail and IT sector an attrition rate of around 55 per cent has been recorded.

Auto, FMCG, Manufacturing and infrastructure sectors have registered an attrition rate ranging between 45 to 50 per cent. Among all the relevant sectors, the services offered by the IT/ITes and BPO in energy sector domain has recorded an attrition rate of 45 per cent.

"The growing trend of job-switching in the BPO industry might prove to be fatal for the survival and growth of India�s BPO sector. Companies these days do not put much focus on enhancing individuals� performance, this might hamper India�s rapid ascension on the world economic stage in the long run," said Rawat.

"Rapid job hops prove to be a disadvantage both for the companies who pay higher wages and those individuals who benefit from higher wages in the short-run, as the rise in package is not keeping up with the rise in knowledge/skill levels of the individuals," said Rawat.

15 loco pilots found drunk in breathanalyser test

In what could raise alarm bells for the Railways, more than a dozen of its drivers were found to be in an inebriated state shortly before assuming their daily duty.

Fifteen locomotive drivers found drunk during the routine breathalyser checks in different railway divisions were debarred from driving trains and suitable actions were initiated against them for gross indiscipline and violating service rules, a senior railway ministry official said.

Several of the train drivers caught were from Northern Railway which operates some of the prestigious trains and handles bulk of the traffic movement.

While Moradabad division reported as many as 11 such cases, Lucknow, Ambala, Guntur and Bijaywada divisions had one case each of loco pilots found drunk in the last six months from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011.

"It is mandatory for loco pilot and assistant loco pilot to undergo breathalyser test before being booked to drive the train. If found drunk then the driver is not allowed to resume duty," said the official.

There are about 11,700 trains running everyday across the country carrying more than two crore passengers. One loco pilot and an assistant loco pilot are required to run a train.

"The alcohol test is being done by the supervisor staff and after the mandatory test only the loco pilots are allowed to drive the train," he said, adding, "Drunkenness during duty hours is a serious offence and Railways take it very seriously."

Railways use state-of-the-art breathalyser equipment to know the exact level of alcohol content in blood during the test.

"Loco inspectors also carry out random checks at stations as a precautionary measure to prevent the drivers from drinking," the official said.

Railways have stringent punishment meted out to loco pilots if found drunk during duty hours. While the driver is chargesheeted immediately, punishment like withholding of the year''s increment is also being given.
...

Meet the beauty queens

Three pretty women, smart and so full of poise. A look at the crowning moments.

Grand hunt for an Indian F1 driver

Bengaluru: "Among 1.2 billion people we are going to find that Lewis Hamilton." With these words Dr. Vijay Mallya announced the launch of Force India Formula One Team Academy's '1 From a Billion Hunt' project to unearth motorsporting talent in the country. In partnership with ExxonMobil, Force India will launch a nation-wide search for India's next Formula One driver later this month.

The unique initiative is aimed at identifying the talent - providing vocational and academic training for young Indians aspiring for a serious, professional career in the field of motor sport arena or related industries.

Boys and girls between 14-17 years will be eligible to apply for the same. And yes, you don't need a driving license.

"The academy was conceived with a vision to inspire young Indians who have talent but so far have had no proper opportunity or serious platform to showcase their innate abilities. If the Academy is able to place even one Indian on the Formula One grid then all the effort would have been well worth it when our national anthem is played out for a victorious graduate of Academy," said Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal, Force India.

The hunt comprises of a three-stage programme:

- Hunt for 1 from a Billion: In the first stage of the hunt, the Academy will conduct regional trials in seven cities across India via a karting programme. Selected 14 finalists from each city will progress to the next level 'National Final'. The 98 finalists then will be joined by two wild card entries - who will compete against each other for a place in the top-ten.

- Silverstone Finale: The ten finalists then will go for a week-long stint at Silverstone circuit in UK. The ten selected drivers will complete their experience with a race in Formula Silverstone cars. At the end of the intensive hands-on week, an expert panel will pick three finalists on the basis of a holistic assessment of their multiple capabilities and proficiency in requisite areas. The winners will be announced at the Indian Grand Prix on October 28.

- Future Champions Programme: The winners of the Silverstone Finale will then be groomed next year and beyond. The ultimate winner will be put through a full season of racing in a competitive UK championship. The first runner-up will go on to race in a full season of racing in a competitive Indian championship while the second runner-up will benefit from a programme of karting tuition in Asia.

Force India's reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, who was present at the occasion, said "it's a great opportunity for Indian youngsters. I wish I had the same kind of support when I started."

So, if you have ever dreamed of becoming a racer and drive those fast Formula One cars, this is your chance!

You can register online at www.onefromabillion.com or visit the local go-karting track in your city. The action starts on April 25, 2011.

Lashkar-e-Taiba expanding, India still main target

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. military commander expressed concern to Congress on Tuesday about the expanding reach of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, warning it was no longer solely focused on India or even South Asia.
LeT, one of the largest and best-funded Islamic militant organizations in the region, is blamed for the November 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which killed 166 people in India's commercial capital.
The group was nurtured by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency to fight India in Kashmir, and analysts say it is still unofficially tolerated even though Islamabad banned the group nearly a decade ago.
Admiral Robert Willard, head of the U.S. military's Pacific Command, told a Senate hearing the United States was actively working with South Asian governments including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India to contain LeT.
But he cautioned that the group was active elsewhere.
"Unquestionably they have spread their influence internationally and are no longer solely focused in South Asia and on India," Willard told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The United States has evidence of LeT's presence in Europe and the broader Asia-Pacific region, he said.
In the past, LeT has fielded militants in Canada and in the United States.
India continues to be LeT's main target. But Willard noted that the group has declared holy war against the United States and renewed longstanding concerns in Washington about attacks by LeT militants against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
"The discussion regarding the government of Pakistan's relationship to LeT is a very sensitive one," Willard said.
The comments come at a sensitive time in U.S.-Pakistan relations. Pakistan is demanding the United States scale back CIA activities and reduce the number U.S. Special Forces trainers in the latest example of strained security ties.
Although the U.S. focus in Pakistan remains on al Qaeda and militant groups more deeply involved in Afghanistan, there has been increasing attention in Washington on LeT, particularly since the arrest of Pakistani-American David Headley in 2009.
Headley had joined LeT hoping to fight in Kashmir but ended up scouting out targets for the Mumbai attackers and helping al Qaeda plan a strike in Denmark.
"It's important that this particular discussion continue to take place and that we continue to work with the government of Pakistan to root out terrorism that exists within their borders," Willard said.
The White House last week warned that despite unprecedented efforts by Pakistan to go after militants within its borders, it lacked a clear path to defeat them.

13 Food Types for Healthy Hair

When your hair starts falling off like dry straws, what can you do?
Well, panicking and running around to expensive salons for hair treatment might seem a brilliant idea, but the truth is that you can manage to get a hold of the situation back at your home alone.
First, it would help to locate the various reasons for hair loss. Studies have revealed that men lose hair for some common reasons, like:
• Improper diet,
• Lack of proper vitamins,
• Genetic factors,
• Excessive stress, anxiety and worries,
• Prolonged illnesses like typhoid, anemia, dysentery, jaundice etc,
• Poor blood circulation, and
• Unclean scalps.
Once you have located the source of your problem, it can become much easier to fight back. In desperate times like these, it would help to go completely natural. Do not trust chemical products since they might cause more harm than good. To put your panicking soul to rest, here are 15 different ways to reduce hair loss:
1. Take a glass of water with flaxseed (alsi) in an empty stomach. This will provide you with the omega 3 acid that you need for hair growth.
2. Begin every day with one amla. Women generally use hair oil made of amla to get those lustrous curls, didn’t you know?
3. Soak 5 almonds every night in water and eat them with their skin on.
4. Your scalp needs nutrition. So get plenty of fluids like buttermilk, lime juice and coconut water. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day!
5. One bowl of sprouted pulses for would be great.
6. Proteins. Eat chicken and egg each day.
7. Reduce you daily intake of tea and coffee.
8. When you are washing hair, use a teaspoon of lime juice for the last rinse. That make your hair lustrous while protecting it from dandruff.
9. You are never too old for milk. Drink two glasses of skimmed milk for maximum benefits.
10. Apply a paste of methi seeds on your scalp for half an hour once every week, and drink methi water on empty stomachs.
11. Remember how the age old sadhus survived on fruits? No wonder that they had such long hair! Eat at least 2 or 3 fruits every day like strawberries, bananas, apples, mangoes, chikoos, and grapes.
12. Go green- eat a lot of vegetables, munch away on that iron laden spinach.
13. It is better to have more faith in white meat. Fish, chicken and egg can do wonders for your hair! Try to stay away from red meat.
Hair loss is more common in case of men than women. And you always did wonder whether gender difference worked out better for women, right? Follow these principles to the boots, and you would see satisfactory results soon enough!

Ash all set to go to Cannes, again

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be heading out to the French Riviera this May. She will be there for the Cannes Film Festival; her 10th consecutive year at one of the most prestigious film festivals.

Infosys Q4 lower than expectation; Revenue at Rs 7,250 cr

IT behemoth Infosys Technologies, posted tepid result in the fourth quarter of FY11, with the numbers coming in lower than market expectations. The company posted a net revenue of Rs 7,250 crore and a net profit at Rs 1,818 crore.

The company guided an 18-20% dollar revenue growth for FY12.

A surprising announcement

As this Moneycontrol report says:

The technology bellwether forecast Q4 revenue of $1.60-62 billion, up 23.5-24.8% from a year ago, while rupee revenue is seen in the Rs 7,517-7,230 crore range, up 20.4-21.6%.

However, analysts say the company's guidance has always been conservative and the street wouldn't be surprised if it outperforms in the fourth quarter as well as 2011-12 fiscal.

Though analysts expect QoQ revenue to grow 3-4%, the company prefers to keep its turnover growth figures to 2%.

During calendar year 2010, Infosys' revenues from infrastructure management grew by 13.6% compared with TCS' 39.5%. The company is realigning its verticals and restructuring big time. Analysts feel that this should help them find synergies across some verticals.

Infosys shares have been trading 6% down in 2011. Since investors and analysts alike have factored in higher growth than the forecast, it'll be interesting to note how the market reacts to the Infosys Q4 results.