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Karnataka News Archive: October 2007
Baalu approves road repair works in Karnataka
Friday, October 26, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu has approved a sum of Rs.1254.61 lakh for road improvement works in Karnataka. Baalu approved the proposal for widening of existing intermediate lane, single lane to two lane from km. 479 to 489 km on Sholapur Mangalore Section of National Highway-13. Earlier, the road from Chitradurga to Shimoga was a Major District Road (MDR), and it used to cater the traffic volume, which was less compared to present traffic.The existing crust is inadequate to take the present traffic intensity of commercial vehicles carrying heavy loads. The surface is distressed at certain stretches and the overall riding quality of the reach is poor. Therefore, the approval has been granted for widening this 10-km stretch of National Highway. (ANI)
Cranes Software's Q2 revenue up 38 pc
Friday, October 26, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 25 (ANI/ Business Wire India): Cranes Software International Ltd. (CSIL), a global data analytics and engineering simulations software products and solutions provider, today announced its un-audited results for the second quarter ended 30th September, 2007.On the occasion of the second quarter results announcement, Asif Khader, Managing Director, Cranes Software International Limited, said: "Cranes Software continues to witness a demand pattern that is growing exponentially as is reflected by our increased clientele and the strong financial performance declared by the Company for the current quarter under review. This quarter can be most appropriately summed as one of consolidation from the previous quarter where the Company had announced several product launches and four independent acquisitions in the data analytics space. Accordingly, revenues expanded 38 per cent while PAT was up 30per cent Q-o-Q, with operating margins of 55 per cent.""Although so much is being written about the sub prime woes and speculative economic slowdown in the United States, the business of data analytics and engineering simulation is increasingly becoming the oxygen for other industries to rely on, not only to differentiate themselves but also capture maximum market share by judiciously utilizing the abundant information available to support business decisions. In this regard, Cranes is cementing its presence across the globe with high focus on the European and American markets. Going forward, we expect to continue growing at a robust pace thereby evolving into a global top tier analytics driven Products and Solutions Company," he added.Cranes second quarter performance review:Corresponding quarter comparison: Q2 FY08 (July - September 2007) v/s Q2 FY07 (July - September 2006)-- Total income increased by 38 per cent from Rs. 666.8 million to Rs. 917.3 million in the current quarter.a.) Overseas revenues were up 29 per cent at Rs. 746.3 million and constitute 81per cent of total revenues.b.) Domestic revenues rose 34 per cent from Rs. 119.3 million to Rs. 159.7 million in the current quarter. -- Operating profit improved by 37 per cent to Rs. 507.1 million compared to Rs. 368.9 million in the previous corresponding quarter. Operating margins remained stable at 55 per cent .-- Net profit after tax grew by 30 per cent to Rs. 272.7 million translating into diluted EPS of Rs. 2.14 as against Rs. 1.74 reported during the same period last year.Sequential quarter comparison: Q2 FY08 (July - September 2007) v/s Q1 FY08 (April - June 2007)-- Total Revenues increased 9 per cent from Rs. 840.7 million.a.) Overseas revenues expanded by 1 per cent q-o-q from Rs. 673.6 million to Rs. 746.3 million b.) Domestic revenues remained almost flat at about Rs. 160 million. -- Operating profit increased by 14 per cent from Rs. 444.7 million. Operating margins were higher from 53 per cent in Q1 FY08 to 55 per cent in the current quarter.* Net profit after tax (prior to adjustments) was up 11 per cent from Rs. 246 million. Accordingly, diluted EPS increased from Rs. 1.84 in Q1 FY08 to Rs. 2.14 in the quarter under review. (ANI)
Janata Dal-Secular to prepare for polls:Devegowda
Friday, October 26, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct.25 (ANI): Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) President and former Prime Minister H.D.Devegowda today announced that his party would seek a fresh mandate from the peoplein the wake of the Congress backing off from a coalition tie-up for government formation. "With the Congress bringing the curtains down on government formation, the only course left for us is to gear up for elections," Devegowda told reporters here."BJP has already annnounced that it will face elections. The Congress has pulled the curtain down on government formation. We are the only third party left in the state. We should keep these developments in mind and go ahead strengthening and preparing the party for elections," Devegowda said."The question of waiting for a call by the Congress for an invitation to form the government does not arise at all now. The Congress has its own right to reject any offer. Where is the question of being humiliated?," he shot back while answering a query.Senior JD(S) leaders met here on Thursday and announced a decision in favour of elections, he said.Devegowda said the list of contesting candidates would be announced by November 15.Gowda, who began the exercise of restructuring district units and sorting out differences among partymen on Thursday with a meeting with districts units of Uttara Kannada and Dharwad, said he would complete it by November 1. He also announced that he would be launching a statewide electioneering campaign from November 2. He expressed confidence about the party putting up a good show in the upcoming elections, drawing inspiration from the JD-S' performance in the recent urban local bodies polls.When his attention was drawn to the state assembly being kept under suspended animation, he said "it is the responsibility of the Governor Rameshwar Thakur to dissolve the House and facilitate seeking fresh mandate from people."He, however, defended the Delhi mission undertaken by former state Home Minister M P Prakash, remarking it was done in consonance with the opinion expressed by MLAs to explore the possibility of forming a government with the Congress.The BJP has accused its former coalition partner JDS of trying to create confusion in the minds of people on formation of another government in the state with Congress' support."There is no possibility of formation of a government in Karnataka. JDS is trying to create confusion in the minds of people", former deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa told reporters while reacting to the attempts being made by JDS to lure Congress.He questioned Governor Thakur's decision not invite the BJP to form the government after H D Kumaraswamy Government had resigned.Ruling out revival of ties with JDS, Yediyurappa said there was no need for any discussion with that party and BJP was ready for polls. (ANI)
Winners of first Applied Innovation Awards announced
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 24 (ANI-Business Wire India): The International Association of Outsourcing professionals (IAOP), the IT Association of America (ITAA) and Wipro Technologies, the global IT services business of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT), announced the winners of the first Applied Innovation Awards for Business Excellence at a glittering awards event in New York. The awards recognise organisations that have successfully taken their breakthrough idea from concept to reality and have results to show for their efforts. The awards, held alongside the Forbes-Wipro Innovation Conference in the presence of Steve Forbes, President and CEO, Forbes Inc.; Paul Maidment, Editor, Forbes.com and Executive Editor, Forbes; Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro Limited; Michael Corbett, Chairman IAOP; and Jeff Lande, SVP, ITAA, was attended by the 28 finalists from around the world along with special guests and invitees representing leading global corporations."IAOP joined with ITAA and Wipro to establish these awards to recognise innovation in the industry at a time when all companies are trying to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market," said Michael F Corbett, Chairman, IAOP. "The award winners are companies who are game changers, the leaders who have harnessed the power of collaboration and global delivery to benefit their customers, investors and the global economy. As the standard setting association for the outsourcing industry, we are very proud to be a partner in these awards."From nearly 150 applications worldwide, the jury comprising of innovation experts, one domain expert and a senior leader from a strategic sourcing customer organisation selected 12 winners that have demonstrated leadership and best practices in the areas of co-innovation, global sourcing and business transformation.Commenting on the awards, Jeff Lande, Senior Vice President, ITAA said, "Innovation requires the right mix of inspiration and perspiration. This prestigious award recognises the organisations and people who have changed the game for their organisations. ITAA is honoured to put its experience in technology and global sourcing to work in helping to judge this contest." The big winners of the night who received the Jury's Special Award were Aristos Logic Corporation, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Norwich Union Insurance a part of Aviva PLCOthers winners were -Delivery Model Innovation - British Telecommunications Plc (Winner), Northern Gas Networks Ltd., UK (Runners Up) Product/Service Innovation - AGEIA (Winner), GainSpan Corporation (Runners Up); Business Innovation - Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (Winner), Centrica Plc (Runners Up) Process Innovation - Sun Microsystems (Winner), Avaya -AMSSD Division (Runners Up) (ANI)
Air Arabia announces daily flights to Bangalore
Sunday, October 21, 2007 | AA
Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest low cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa today announced that it will start daily flights to Bangalore from 28th October 07. Air Arabia, the first international low cost airline to fly to India, commenced services on the Bangalore – Sharjah route from 15th October 2007 with four weekly flights which will now increase to daily services. Speaking at the occasion, Adel Ali, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia said, “India is an important destination for us and we are happy to be given an opportunity to link more centers across India to the Middle East and beyond. We extend our thanks to the Indian government and civil aviation authorities for their continuous support. Through this occasion, we re-assure our commitment to continue to give more and more customers the opportunity to fly to the Gulf and further for business and leisure at affordable fares’. Starting October 28th, Air Arabia flights will depart from Sharjah at 23:05hrs to reach Bangalore at 04:20hrs Flights will depart from Bangalore at 05:05hrs to arrive in Sharjah at 07:30hrs. “By meeting the unique needs of customers in the region, low-cost carries in this region can make a huge contribution to both the travel industry and the growth of the region as a whole. At Air Arabia, we are committed to extend our services to further serve the travel needs of customers in this part of the world” Ali added. Bangalore is Air Arabia’s 9th destination in India and the 11th in South Asia. With daily flights to Bangalore, Air Arabia’s total number of flights between Sharjah and UAE now exceeds 55 weekly flights.Air Arabia started operations to India with the launch of services to Mumbai in March 2005. Within two and a half years, the airline now connects nine Indian cites to the Middle East; i.e. Ahmedabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thiruvanathapuram, Coimbatore and Bangalore. Air Arabia has also been the first international airline to fly to the cities of Nagpur and Coimbatore. Increased links have provided great potential for improved business and leisure travel between India and the Gulf. Air Arabia’s strategy for India has been to provide affordable, value for money travel for customers traveling to and from the Gulf. With the large number of Indian expatriates in the Middle East, there is a strong need for affordable air travel for this community to travel more often to their homes. The airline also offers Air Arabia Holidays which have exciting holiday promotions and experience with mini-breaks from the sub continent to regions in the Middle East and North Africa. Air Arabia offers package prices, including return flights, accommodation, transfers, daily breakfast & all hotel taxes and surcharges. Log on to www.airarabia.com for the best deals.
First intnl low cost airline to fly from Blore
Friday, October 19, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 19 (ANI): Air Arabia, the first and largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa has announced that it will start daily flights to Bangalore from October 28. It had commenced services on the Bangalore-Sharjah route from October 15 with a four weekly flights which will now increase to daily services.Bangalore is Air Arabia's ninth destination in India and the eleventh in South Asia. With daily flights between Sharjah and UAE now exceed 55 weekly flights.”India is an important destination for us since we have lot of customers travelling to Gulf for business or leisure. And Air Arabia fare cost would be 40 per cent less compared to any other LCC in India,” Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia.Rohit Ramachandran, Regional Manager, India said that Air Arabia fare cost is based on demand and supply basis, added that he said, “if a customer book three weeks prior, it will be as less as Rs.10000/- return.” The airline already connects Ahmedabad, Chennai, Coimbatore Jaipur, Kochi, Mumbai, Nagpur and Thiruvananthapuram to Gulf cities.The flights will be operated on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Flights to Bangalore will leave Sharjah at 10:50 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Bangalore at 4:20 a.m. (local time). Return flights will leave Bangalore at 5:05 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Sharjah at 7:50 a.m. (local time).Air Arabia operates scheduled services to 32 destinations across West Asia, North Africa, Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent.The airline which is jointly owned by the the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department and the Sharjah Airport Authority was formed in 2003. (ANI)
Art of Living foundation to fight poverty
Thursday, October 18, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 18 (ANI): A five-kilometre long human chain formed symbolically to eradicate poverty is one more initiative by Guru Shri Shri Ravishankar at the Art of Living Center on the outskirts of Bangalore. The spiritual Guru led the huge gathering on Wednesday to pledge to eradicate poverty from the planet. “It was collective responsibility of humanity to drive away poverty which calls for a united effort in this direction,” said Ravishankar.A joint initiative of Art of Living and United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) will mobilise over four million people across the globe to support UNMC’s ‘Stand Up and Speak Out’ against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A top official of the UNMC Minar Pimple who took part in this initiative said, “We were working together with Art of Living and confident of achieving the objective of the millennium goal.”The idea behind the campaign is to remind world leaders of their promise of achieving the MDGs by 2015. Art of Living will organise several public events in over 100 countries to take a pledge in support of the eradication of poverty. Ravishankar believes that world leaders must keep the promises they made at the Millennium Summit in 2000. These promises, translated into the MDGs can only be achieved if we all participate and raise our voices against poverty and a peaceful world. (ANI) Bangalore, Oct 18 (ANI): A five-kilometre long human chain formed symbolically to eradicate poverty is one more initiative by Guru Shri Shri Ravishankar at the Art of Living Center on the outskirts of Bangalore. The spiritual Guru led the huge gathering on Wednesday to pledge to eradicate poverty from the planet. “It was collective responsibility of humanity to drive away poverty which calls for a united effort in this direction,” said Ravishankar.A joint initiative of Art of Living and United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) will mobilise over four million people across the globe to support UNMC’s ‘Stand Up and Speak Out’ against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A top official of the UNMC Minar Pimple who took part in this initiative said, “We were working together with Art of Living and confident of achieving the objective of the millennium goal.”The idea behind the campaign is to remind world leaders of their promise of achieving the MDGs by 2015. Art of Living will organise several public events in over 100 countries to take a pledge in support of the eradication of poverty. Ravishankar believes that world leaders must keep the promises they made at the Millennium Summit in 2000. These promises, translated into the MDGs can only be achieved if we all participate and raise our voices against poverty and a peaceful world. (ANI)
'Black Eyed Peas' rocks Bangalore
Thursday, October 18, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 17 (ANI): American pop group "Black Eyed Peas" enthralled fans in Bangalore, late on Tuesday night.Los Angeles-based hip-hop group performed live for the first time at the Palace Grounds in the city as part of their Blue-Black tour.Group members Fergie and Williams sang tracks from their solo albums in front of fans, who had gathered from across the country and abroad. "We are just waiting for them to come and perform and yes I am very excited," said Kavya, a Blue Eyed Peas fan."We flew in this morning and we fly out tonight, we have spent our life savings to come to this concert here," said foreign tourists Marc and Zora.First hitting the big leagues with the 1998 album Behind The Front, the Black Eyed Peas have earned accolades for their unique mix of pop, dance and hip-hop influenced by global rhythms and sounds.It was however the breakthrough album of 2003, Elephunk that catapulted the band into worldwide fame. After participating at the Live Earth concert in London, followed by the group's performance at Tokyo and Osaka, the band has been on a whirlwind 13-country tour. (ANI)
Dussehra with Bommai Kollu
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct. 17 (ANI): The hallmark of Dussehra festival in Karnataka may be the famous royal celebrations held in Mysore city but the traditional “Bommai Kollu” or the display of dolls by young girls at their homes, holds its own charm. “Bommai” is dolls and “Kollu” stands for displaying. These dolls depict gods or village scenes and weddings.Bommai Kollu is done by constructing wide tiers or steps in any number, seven at the maximum. The number of tiers or steps should be evenly arranged, like, one, three, five, and so on. One can erect nine steps, provided, space and time permits. A variety of dolls are displayed artistically and arranged beautifully on the steps."In Mysore, people collect all kinds of dolls and being a Mysorean I too have an affinity with dolls. To celebrate the festival with dolls is a tradition in Karnataka. I have all types of Barbie dolls, toy vehicles and kitchen sets and other things. I have collected them over a period of eight years," said Roopa Raja, a resident of Bangalore.With Dussera round the corner, many young girls in Karnataka are busy arranging the traditional Bommai Kollu at their homes. It is their way of lending an additional touch of merriment to the Navaratri, the nine-day festival devoted to Goddess Durga and also known as Dussehra festival.Elders at homes meticulously arrange stools and tables of varying sizes like a gallery after which the girls take out their toys and arrange them. At the foot of the display, usually a theme-based toys or dolls display is an added attraction at most of the Bommai Kollu (Kollu, in short). This could be a zoo, a park, a railway station or a bus terminus with the building made from shoe carton.Kollu can be as simple or as elaborate as one likes and depends on the space in one's house. The lady of the house invites other women and children in the neighbourhood to watch the Kollu and it’s followed by a feast of festive delicacies. The visits are exchanged. "Dussehra is one of the main festivals in Karnataka. For this, the celebrations start during Navratri itself. During Navratri, we visit friends and buy a new doll every year," said Shravani, another resident. Apart from the regions of old Mysore State, Bommai Kollu is also a favourite among many families in Tamil Nadu. Bommai means doll or a toy in Kannada as well as in Tamil.Kollu display is on for all days of Navratri and only after the Vijaya Dashami (the last day of Dussehra), the Kollu is taken away. Usually, most of the dolls are stored back with much care for the next Dussehra. (ANI)
Shilpa Medicare signs MoU with LOBA Finchemie
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 | MP
Raichur (Karnataka), Oct 16: (ANI-Business Wire India): Shilpa Medicare Ltd, one of India's leading specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers with primary focus on custom synthesis and oncology APIs, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with LOBA Finchemie AG, Austria, to acquire 100 percent shares of LOBA in an all-cash deal.The formal terms will be announced after the due diligence process, currently on, is completed.Founded in 1957, the privately-owned LOBA provides specialty APIs, organic intermediates, biochemical diagnostics, and customs synthesis. With facilities conforming to top Euro cGMP and USFDA specifications, LOBA counts some of the world's largest pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies as its business partners. The company's product range covers 500 organic compounds available from kilo-to-small ton quantities.LOBA is a profit-making company, with current annual revenue at nearly 15 million dollars.LOBA's acquisition, if successful, will fast forward Shilpa Medicare's vision of becoming India's leading manufacturer in the high growth oncology and CRAMS sectors, said Vishnukant Bhutada, Managing Director, Shilpa Medicare. “LOBA, with its product range, long-standing customer relationships in highly regulated markets, and internationally certified and compliant R&D and manufacturing facilities, is a perfect strategic fit for Shilpa Medicare. Given our highly skilled talent pool and low operational costs, the Shilpa-LOBA combination would be a formidable entity in the global oncology and CRAMS sectors," Bhutada said. (ANI)
Shilpa Medicare signs MoU with LOBA Finchemie
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | MP
Raichur (Karnataka), Oct 16: (ANI-Business Wire India): Shilpa Medicare Ltd, one of India's leading specialty pharmaceutical manufacturers with primary focus on custom synthesis and oncology APIs, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with LOBA Finchemie AG, Austria, to acquire 100 percent shares of LOBA in an all-cash deal.The formal terms will be announced after the due diligence process, currently on, is completed.Founded in 1957, the privately-owned LOBA provides specialty APIs, organic intermediates, biochemical diagnostics, and customs synthesis. With facilities conforming to top Euro cGMP and USFDA specifications, LOBA counts some of the world's largest pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies as its business partners. The company's product range covers 500 organic compounds available from kilo-to-small ton quantities.LOBA is a profit-making company, with current annual revenue at nearly 15 million dollars.LOBA's acquisition, if successful, will fast forward Shilpa Medicare's vision of becoming India's leading manufacturer in the high growth oncology and CRAMS sectors, said Vishnukant Bhutada, Managing Director, Shilpa Medicare. “LOBA, with its product range, long-standing customer relationships in highly regulated markets, and internationally certified and compliant R&D and manufacturing facilities, is a perfect strategic fit for Shilpa Medicare. Given our highly skilled talent pool and low operational costs, the Shilpa-LOBA combination would be a formidable entity in the global oncology and CRAMS sectors," Bhutada said. (ANI)
Microsoft's first Interoperability Lab in Blore
Friday, October 12, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 12 (ANI/Business Wire India): In continuation of its ongoing efforts to address the interoperability needs of customers, Microsoft Corporation has announced two new initiatives at the Microsoft Interoperability Conclave held in Bangalore.The two initiatives include - Microsoft's first Interoperability Lab in India, designed to help customers envision and build solutions which are interoperable; Open Source Technology Program designed to further open source research and development of open source applications on the Windows platform in collaboration with leading engineering institutes in the country. Focused at discussing issues, challenges and solutions to foster interoperability, the Conclave drew participation from leading academicians, bureaucrats and industry professionals including Dr D B Phatak, Professor, IIT Bombay, R Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary (E-Governance), Department of Information Technology, Govt of India, Nandan Nilekani, Co-Chairman, Infosys and Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, Microsoft . To ensure enhanced customer productivity in the increasingly heterogeneous technology environment. Microsoft has been leading the interoperability initiative and ensuring different technologies are able to talk to each other. Microsoft's four pronged strategy in this direction encompasses accomplishing interoperability through the explicit design of interoperable products, through working with partners, customers, and competitors, licensing IP and working with industry to create standards. The company has been consistently engaging with the ecosystem to promote interoperability and has rolled out several initiatives globally and in India in partnership with academia as well as customers and partners. Co-located at the Microsoft Technical Centre in Bangalore, the Interoperability lab will enable customers envision and test interoperable solutions across infrastructure, application and management layers. The facility will encompass all benefits of the technical centre which include access to world class infrastructure, experts and Open Source Lab in Redmond. Under the Open Source Technology Program Microsoft also announced signing of MoUs with IIT-Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, IIIT Hyderabad and IIIT Bangalore."Interoperability is as critical a challenge as security and reliability to the health of an organization's IT environment. With open dialogue and on ground work with the industry and academia we hope to collectively address this emerging and important issue", said Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India."Initiatives like the Interoperability lab and the Open Source Technology program are significant milestones in our efforts to collaborate with the eco system to promote a community development approach and create innovative products that are inherently interoperable," he added. The Interoperability Lab will showcase, envision and build interoperability solutions for specific heterogeneous technology scenarios like cross platform rich web application and line of business application integration, virtualisation and management of heterogeneous platforms. The lab will be equipped with access to state-of-art computing and office infrastructure and Microsoft and Open Source Software to develop and test Interoperable solutions. The Open Source Technology Program encourages student projects across diverse research areas such as Interoperability between Windows and Linux platforms, Mobile and embedded devices applications, Web and database applications on Windows, High performance computing applications etc. Further it will provide educational research grants to faculty and scholarships to students. Microsoft will encourage students to follow an open source community engagement model through Codeplex and port25.technet.com. As part of the program, students will also get guidance from Expert Advisory Council comprising of eminent members of the academic community. (ANI)
Nokia Siemens -Wipro sign R&D partnership
Thursday, October 11, 2007 | MP
Munich/Bangalore, Oct 11 (ANI-Business Wire India): Nokia Siemens Networks and Wipro Technologies, the global IT arm of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) have agreed on the terms and conditions of a business transfer and asset sale of Nokia Siemens Networks radio access related R&D activities in Berlin.All Radio Access R&D activities currently performed in Berlin are planned to be provided to Nokia Siemens Networks by Wipro Technologies in the future.As part of the partnership, 58 employees of Nokia Siemens Networks are planned to be fully integrated into the operations of Wipro Technologies. Through this agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will leverage Wipro Technologies' global expertise as one of the largest independent R&D services providers in the world."Wipro Technologies has been a valued partner of our parent companies Nokia and Siemens for many years. We have successfully cooperated with them on various development programs", said Ari Lehtoranta, Head of the Radio Access Business Unit, Nokia Siemens Networks. "As regards the personnel transferring to Wipro Technologies, they will join a strong partner, where their competencies will be a natural fit. Our customers will see a strengthening of our capabilities to ensure high quality products"."This partnership will further strengthen Wipro's capabilities and R & D services in the third-generation 3G. This will enhance Wipro's offerings across the wireless network including access, core and service infrastructure," said Ramesh Emani, President, Telecom and product engineering solutions. "This agreement is a key milestone in Wipro's significant relationship with Nokia Siemens Networks while enhancing our presence in Europe".The transfer of R&D capabilities to trusted business partners is part of Nokia Siemens Networks' overall strategy. This step will allow the company to realise greater flexibility and improve cost management and enable leveraging of the expertise of the R&D partners. Wipro is one of the leading players in telecom engineering solutions space, covering wireless, wireline, broadband and enterprise communication, legacy and next generation products. Wipro has been focusing significantly in competency development for next generation radio access technologies. (ANI)
Vice Prez condoles demise of Bommai
Thursday, October 11, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has condoled the demise of former Karnataka Chief Minister S. R. Bommai. In his condolence message sent to his son Basavaraj Bommai, MLA, Ansari has said that former Union Minister Bommai was an able administrator, parliamentarian par excellence and above all a committed humanist who always championed the cause of the poor and the deprived. As Chief Minister and Union Minister, he said, "Bommai made valuable contributions for the development of our country."The country has lost an eminent public personality who shall always be remembered, stated in the message. Bommai died after a prolonged illness on Wednesday. He was 84. He is survived by two sons - Janta Dal (United) MLC Basa-varaj Bommai and industrialist Mahesh Bommai, and two daughters - Girija and Uma.Bommai was native of Hubballi. He was elected to Karnataka Legislative assembly many times from Hubli rural constituency. He was President of All India Progressive JD Party. He played role in unification of parts of Karnataka, which had been divided into Mysore kingdom, Bombay Presidency and Madras Presidency, during rule of British before independence of India on 15 August 1947. (ANI)
Cabinet approves President's rule in Karnataka
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 9 (ANI): The Union Cabinet today approved the recommendation of President's rule sent by the State Governor, Rameshwar Thakur as no party was in a capacity to form the next government.The imposition of President's rule in the State comes after three years coalition rule, first by Congress-JD (S) coalition followed by JD (S)-BJP alliance.On Monday, the Governor recommended the imposition of Central rule in the State and dissolution of the State Assembly after Chief Minister Kumaraswamy resigned and a last ditch effort by the JD (S) to revive its twenty-month old coalition with the BJP failed.While both the BJP and the JD (S) had demanded fresh elections in the State, the Congress had demanded the president's rule in the State. (ANI)
Kumaraswamy resigns as Chief Minister
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 8 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today resigned after Congress made it clear that it would not support the JD (S) Government in the State. He met Governor Rameshwar Thakur at the Raj Bhavan after his party's meeting in the evening and submitted him the resignation letter. Unable to prove that he had the required numbers to prove his majority on the floor, Kumaraswamy was earlier advised by the Governor to submit his resignation paper.The latest development makes the reconvening of the State Assembly on October 18 for the floor test redundant.Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded imposition of President's rule in the State. The BJP, which formally pulled out from the coalition on Sunday, however, wants the Assembly to be dissolved and holding of fresh elections in the State, similar to what the JD (S) is also saying. Congress has 65 members in the legislative Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who broke away from the JD (S) to join Congress.The party has the second highest number of seats in the 225-member State Assembly with the BJP being the single largest party in the State with 79 MLAs.Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17. (ANI)
Kumaraswamy set to resign
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 8 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is set to resign after Congress made it clear that it would not support the JD (S) Government in the State. Unable to prove that he had the required numbers to prove his majority on the floor, Kumaraswamy was advised by the Governor, Rameshwar Thakur, to submit his resignation paper.He is expected to meet the Governor after his party's meeting in the evening and would submit him his resignation letter. This would make the reconvening of the State Assembly on October 18 for the floor test redundant.Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded imposition of President's rule in the State. The BJP, which formally pulled out from the coalition on Sunday, however, wants the Assembly to be dissolved and holding of fresh elections in the State, similar to what the JD (S) is also saying. Congress has 65 members in the legislative Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who broke away from the JD (S) to join Congress.The party has the second highest number of seats in the 225-member State Assembly with the BJP being the single largest party in the State with 79 MLAs.Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17. (ANI)
BJP formally withdraws support
Monday, October 8, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 7 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs led by former Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa today met Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur and submitted their letter of withdrawal of support to the 20-month-old H D Kumaraswamy Government. The BJP have demanded dismissal of the government as after their withdrawal the Kumaraswamy Government has been reduced to a minority, Yediyurappa told reporters at the Raj Bhavan.He went on to say that they have requested Thakur to make it sure that Kumaraswamy seeks vote of confidence in next three days, and not on October 18.With the withdrawal of support of 79 legislators of the BJP in the 224-member state legislature, the State Government as of now reduces to a minority.Earlier, Kumaraswamy ruled out allying with the Congress, saying, "Our party has got half strength to fight alone."However, the Congress party is keenly watching the political situation in the State.The Congress party holds a key political position in the State with its 65 members in the Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who broke away from the JD (S) to join the Congress.Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17.The JD (S) leaders, led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, had announced that their party will go for polls and have charged the BJP for trying to malign Deve Gowda and his family. (ANI)
BJP to submit support withdrawal letter
Monday, October 8, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 7 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will today meet Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur to submit the letter of withdrawal of support to the H D Kumaraswamy Government.The BJP has requested the Governor not to give Kumaraswamy time till October 18 to prove majority on the floor of the State Assembly.The party's state MPs and legislators, along with their office-bearers and workers, will take out a procession, garland the statue of Mahatma Gandhiji before going to the Raj Bhavan, a party press release said.Withdrawal of support of 79 legislators of the BJP in the 224-member state legislature will reduce the government to a minority, and could force Kumaraswamy to resign.Kumaraswamy has already ruled out allying with the Congress, saying, "Our party has got half strength to fight alone."However, the Congress party is keenly watching the political situation in the State.Prithviraj Chavan, the central Congress leader in charge of the State, on Saturday said that only after the BJP informs the Governor about withdrawing the support, the Congress would take a decision on its future plan. "We are waiting. We have all heard the statements (BJP leaders announcing withdrawal of support)," Chavan said, adding, "I don't trust the BJP.""Why don't they withdraw support today? The Leader of Opposition only has to go and give a letter to the Governor. He can do it immediately. He can do it tonight," he added.Congress holds a key political position in the State with its 65 members in the Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who broke away from the JD (S) to join the Congress.Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17.The JD (S) leaders, led by former Prime Minister H D Deva Gowda, had announced that their party will go for polls and have charged the BJP for trying to malign Deve Gowda and his family. (ANI)
Congress for wait and watch situation
Sunday, October 7, 2007 | MP
Bangalore/New Delhi, Oct 6 (ANI): The Congress party is keenly watching the political situation unfold in Bangalore after the BJP today announced withdrawing of support from the JD (S) led coalition in the State, citing 'betrayal' by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for not honouring the power-sharing agreement.However, the BJP is yet to meet the Governor of the State, Rameshwar Thakur, and hand him the letter of the withdrawal of support from the Kumaraswamy led Government.Prithviraj Chavan, the central Congress leader in charge of the State, said that only after the BJP informs the Governor about withdrawing the support, the Congress would take a decision on its future plan. "We are waiting. We have all heard the statements (BJP leaders announcing withdrawal of support)," Chavan said, adding, "I don't trust the BJP.""Why don't they withdraw support today? The Leader of Opposition only has to go and give a letter to the Governor. He can do it immediately. He can do it tonight," he added.The BJP has said that it would meet the Governor on Sunday and hand over the letter of withdrawal of support from the Kumaraswamy Government.Meanwhile, Congress leaders of the State today met the Governor and urged him to intervene in the ongoing political crisis, as they believe that Chief Minister may not seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly, which will meet on October 18 for a trial of strength.Congress holds a key political position in the State with its 65 members in the legislative Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who broke away from the JD (S) to join Congress.The party has the second highest number of seats in the 225-member State Assembly with the BJP being the single largest party in the State with 79 MLAs.Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17.The weeklong war of words between the coalition partners became more prominent on Saturday, hours after late Friday night reconciliation meeting between the JD (S) and the BJP collapsed, and it became clear that JD (S) is not handing power to the BJP for the next 20 months, as was agreed between the two."This is a worst kind of betrayal in (the) political history of India. They will be taught a fatigued lesson" senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, accusing Kumaraswamy of reneging on the power-sharing promise.The JD (S) leaders, led by former Prime Minister H D Deva Gowda, have announced that their party will go for polls and have charged the BJP for trying to malign Deve Gowda and his family.Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Sitaram Yechury said polls are inevitable in the State, as the JD (S) has no other option than to go for elections."The parties in Karnataka will take decision to tackle the situation but keeping in mind the crisis, I don't think they have an option other than election," said Yechury. (ANI)
BJP withdraws support
Saturday, October 6, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 6 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party today decided to withdraw its support from the 20-month old H D Kumaraswamy Government after the Janata Dal (Secular) refused to transfer power to it in accordance to the power-sharing agreement. The BJP has decided to pull out of the coalition government in the state thus paving the way for mid-term polls, BJP senior leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters. According to sources, JD (S) chief H D Deve Gowda has told BJP chief Rajnath Singh that his party would not transfer power to BJP and this compelled the BJP to withdraw its support. Yesterday night Gowda met Singh to sort out the differences. Meanwhile, former BJP president Venkaih Naidu has said that the JD (S) has betrayed the people of Karnataka by not transferring the power, adding, his party would emerge victorious in the mid-term polls. Commenting on the much-touted Congress-JD (S) pact, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said on Friday that nothing can be ruled out. Talks are doing the rounds that the Congress party and the JD(S) can join hands to form the government in the state. The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to hold special session of the State Assembly on October 18 for a trial of strength. Kumaraswamy had attacked the 'communal' BJP for attempting to malign him and his family with allegations of bribery and corruption. Last month, Sinha met Gowda in Bangalore to put an end to the power transfer crisis in the state. Referring to grave charges, such as attempt to murder, a BJP minister leveled against Kumaraswamy, Gowda told Sinha that in such a situation the post of Chief Minister cannot be handed over to the BJP. (ANI)
Gowda, Rajnath to meet
Saturday, October 6, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 5 (ANI): The meeting between Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) chief H D Deve Gowda and Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh to discuss the power transfer issue in Karnataka will take place tomorrow."Mostly one of the senior members of the political affairs committee and I will be meeting Rajnathji tomorrow," Gowda said here."The meeting will discuss the experience of twenty months of coalition rule in the state. Karanataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will also attend the meeting," he added. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Cabinet today decided to hold special session of the State Assembly on October 18 for a trial of strength. Briefing reporters after the meeting, State Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti said: "The decision will be intimated to the Governor, his permission will be sought (for convening the session)."The BJP's chief ministerial candidate, B S Yediyurappa, said that his party would take three to four days before responding to the "grave charges" made against it by Chief Minister Kumaraswamy. "We also have a long list (of grave charges against the coalition partner JDS). If they (JDS) don't want to transfer power, we are also ready for elections. Let's go before the people", he said.Both Kumaraswamy and Gowda have clearly indicated that the handing over of power to the BJP might not take place.Kumaraswamy, who had inked a power-sharing agreement with the BJP twenty months back, yesterday threatened to end the coalition saying, ''We will go to people's court.""I am ready to break my word on power transfer in the interest of the State,'' he added.Kumaraswamy attacked the 'communal' BJP for attempting to malign him and his family with allegations of bribery and corruption.However, he said, that he would abide by the decision of his party on this issue. Reports from Bangalore indicate that a section of legislators belonging to the JD (S) have asked their leadership to avert a mid-term poll by handing over the Chief Ministership to the State BJP leadership. (ANI)
CM refuses to transfer power to BJP
Friday, October 5, 2007 | MP
New Delhi/Bangalore, Oct 4 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who had made a power-sharing agreement with the BJP twenty months back, today threatened to dump the coalition saying, ''We will go to people's court.""I am ready to break my word on power transfer in the interest of the State,'' he added.Kumaraswamy attacked the 'communal' BJP for attempting to malign him and his family with allegations of bribery and corruption.''Should I hand over power to the BJP whose leaders have vowed to perform last rites of my family and my party JD (S)?'' Kumaraswamy said, after attending a meeting of his party. ''It is 100 per cent sure that BJP leaders were behind the conspiracy to taint my image, though the party shared power with me,'' he said.However, he said that he would abide by the decision of his party on this issue. The stalemate over the political crisis in Karnataka continued on Thursday with both parties- JD (S) and the BJP- chalking out their strategies in closed-door meetings.The BJP's top leadership met today in New Delhi, which was also attended by Yashwant Sinha, BJP's points-man to Karnataka for overcoming the present turmoil, and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.Though details of the meeting have not been made public, it has gained significance as BJP president Rajnath Singh is scheduled to meet JD (S) national Chief H D Deve Gowda this weekend.Reports from Bangalore indicate that a section of legislators belonging to JD (S) have asked their leadership to avert a mid-term poll by handing over the Chief Ministership to the State BJP leadership.Even though the political crisis has shifted to New Delhi, it looks like that behind the scene parleys would help save the government with Kumaraswamy continuing as Chief Minister of the State. (ANI)
Zachman to attend iCMG Enterprise Arch '07 sem
Friday, October 5, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 4 (ANI-Business Wire India): John A. Zachman, widely known as the 'Father of Enterprise Architecture', will attend the iCMG Enterprise Architecture '07 conference series in India.The conference will be held in Pune, Delhi and Bangalore from December 10 to 13 this year. The one-day seminar on "Information System Architecture" will help senior management to understand how to define architecture for the enterprise. Zachman is the inventor of the 'Framework for Enterprise Architecture' that has become the de facto standard. The Framework for Enterprise Architecture and Information Systems Architecture was developed by Zachman from observing how architecture and construction industries, and engineering and manufacturing industries evolved over hundreds of years to handle the construction of complex products of their respective activity. He applied these concepts to the construction of other complex products, the design and change of enterprises and the computer systems that support them."The Zachman Framework is a formal, highly structured, way of defining an enterprise's systems architecture which can be used as input for the organizations' software architecture. As we understand, the contribution of Zachman to enterprise IT is similar to the Peter Drucker in management. iCMG is proud to be hosting Zachman for his India seminar series," said Sunil Dutt Jha, Practicing Architect and CEO of iCMG - IT Architecture Firm which provides architecture solutions and services.The seminar series will enable senior business managers and IT professionals to understand the implications of key business and IT strategies that must be established for changing times based on 30 primitive models. It will also help them to learn about the framework for "Information System Architecture" to keep balance between the holistic, contextual view of the enterprise and the pragmatic, system implementation view of the enterprise.The conference is designed for enterprise professionals of every discipline. Although it is addressing technology issues, it is not a "technical" conference. It addresses the subjects that both enterprise professionals and information professionals must understand to operate effectively in collaboration in the Information age environment. (ANI)
BJP ministers resign en masse
Wednesday, October 3, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 2 (ANI): All the BJP ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, today handed over their resignation from the JD (S)-led coalition Government in the State to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.The BJP's decision to resign en masse from the Kumaraswamy Cabinet comes after the talks between the BJP and the JD (S) failed on the power transfer issue.According to the pact reached between the two parties twenty months ago, the JD (S) is supposed to transfer the office of Chief Minister to the BJP on October 3. Kumaraswamy has been stating off and on that he will shed the office on Wednesday, and has asked the BJP to wait till October 5 when the political affairs committee of the JD (S) would meet to discuss on the issue. The JD(S) supremo, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, had been evasive about the transfer. The JD(S) has refused to honour the BJP's "this evening" deadline to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to step down so that a smooth transfer of power could take place. (ANI)
JD(S) keen to retain Chief Ministership
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 2 (ANI): The Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has deferred a decision as to handing over his office to a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as agreed to 20 months ago. According to the pact, JD (S) is supposed to transfer the office of Chief Minister to the BJP on October 3. Kumaraswamy has been stating off and on that he will shed the office on Wednesday. Discussions have been going on as to the mode of transfer of the office of Chief Ministership between the Bharatiya Janata Party representative Yashwant Sinha and the JD(S) in Bangalore. After inconclusive discussions, Yashwant Sinha said that there was nothing further to be discussed and said that the deadline for the transfer was Tuesday evening. The JD(S) supremo, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, had been evasive about the transfer. The JD(S) has refused to honour the BJP's "this evening" deadline to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to step down so that a smooth transfer of power could take place.Rejecting the BJP's deadline, JD(S) state unit President Merajuddin Patel told reporters "Kumaraswamy will not resign today."Disowning the power sharing pact, Patel said: "We have nothing to do with power sharing agreement reached between Kumaraswamy and BJP 20 months ago." In Bangalore, Kumaraswamy told reporters that he did not want to take any decision in haste.Meanwhile, BJP senior leaders are holding a meeting in Delhi to take a "final decision" on the Karnataka stand-off with the JD(S).On the other hand, BJP's Karnataka in-charge Yashwant Sinha is holding discussions with party MLAs and other state leaders in Bangalore.Earlier today, Gowda said the party's Political Affairs Committee meeting in Delhi on October 5 will take a final decision on power transfer.But, the BJP seems reluctant to wait and would rather prefer to go for polls."We are even ready to knock the people's door for their decision. There is no point in waiting till 5th or 15th," a BJP source said.The BJP wants a final decision from the JD(S) today itself."The ball is in the JD(S)'s court. And the final decision has to be taken today. Today is the last day for JD(S) to keep the promise," said the source.Twenty months back Kumaraswamy brought down his own party's coalition government with the Congress and joined hands with BJP, which is single largest party with 76 MLAs to become the Chief Minister, and agreed to hand over power to the BJP later. Kumaraswamy apparently is waiting for a word from his father Deve Gowda, who is making a last bid for the continuance of Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister. (ANI)
Wipro's security consulting 'unique' : Report
Monday, October 1, 2007 | MP
Bangalore, Oct 1 (ANI/Business Wire India): A new report by independent research firm Forrester Research has positioned Wipro Technologies as a Strong Performer in the "The Forrester WaveT: Security Consulting, Q3 2007." Forrester evaluated the security services consulting market of 10 leading service providers across 80 criteria. Wipro was considered "a viable option” for a range of security services, and noted for its "strategic capabilities in security sustainability." According to the Forrester Report, "Wipro's offshoring model is unique among the larger players in the security consulting space. Wipro's strongest technical capabilities were in application security and identity and access management." Elaborating on Wipro's strategy for Security Consulting Services, Prasenjit Saha, VP- Enterprise Security Services, Wipro Technologies said, "We pride ourselves in being a strategic security partner for our customers. We continue to drive innovation across governance risk and compliance, application security, data privacy and infrastructure security. This report serves as a reflection of our belief and provides impetus to outperform." According to the report, "Wipro's growth in its security consulting practice in the highest in the industry." It added: "Wipro's partnership ecosystem is a clear area of strength that will help it continue extending its offerings to clients." The report describes Wipro as, "a leading global independent research and development (R&D) services provider, the firm offers such services as application development, enterprise systems implementation, networking, systems integration, and technology consulting services. It is a world leader in offshore business process outsourcing (BPO) services." (ANI)
Jobless Dr. Haneef keen to go abroad
Monday, October 1, 2007 | MP
Brisbane, Oct 1 (ANI): Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who returned to Bangalore after a terrorism charge against him was dropped by a Brisbane court in August, is keen to go abroad and resume his studies or work. In an interview with ABC TV's Four Corners program, Dr Haneef said he was determined to regain his visa. "The prospect, you know, of going abroad for further studies anywhere in the world or to work for any other institution in the world or attending any conference, anything like that, it all depends on me having a clear record," he said. "I don't have a job at this time and I'm just relying on my... savings and what I've done," news.com.au quoted him as saying. Responding to a query on the initial charges made against him that he was trying to abscond from Australia when he tried to leave Brisbane on a one-way ticket to India on July 2, Haneef dismissed it by saying that he was not in a “false identity going out leaving the country." "If I were to be absconding I wouldn't have told the hospital - they have all the details with them, they have ... my home phone number, they have my address and ... I was travelling with my documents with me and I had all my proofs, I was not in a false identity going out leaving the country," he said. Dr Haneef added that he had been short of money and had asked his father-in-law to book him a ticket home to see his wife and newborn baby, without specifying whether he wanted a return ticket. He said the mother of Sabeel Ahmed, whom British police had charged with withholding information about a terrorist attack, had alerted him to an issue with the SIM card he had lent Sabeel in 2006, after which he had tried unsuccessfully to contact British police about it. He admitted visiting Sabeel's brother, Kafeel Ahmed, who had been at the wheel of a blazing jeep that crashed into Glasgow airport on June 30, twice at Cambridge, but said: "I have never come across any radical thoughts or any extremist ideas of such kind from him." Dr Haneef added that he was unaware of Kafeel's activism in politics surrounding the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Chechnya. (ANI)
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