Beggars Gets New LIFE.......!!

A unique initiative at a shelter for beggars in Surat has changed their lives. Today, not only do they earn enough to feed themselves and their families, they have also earned a lot of respect and admiration.

Today Modh, a beggar, is really a son of the soil at peace with himself and his work. But Modh's life wasn't always this peaceful. Until a few months ago, his only income was from begging at the Surat railway station.

Then the police picked him up and brought him to the temporary shelter. But now he's got a permanent job at the shelter and he does well enough to support his family. There are others like him here, all once beggars, all now gainfully employed.

And thanks to the home's unique scheme, they can all now dream of a future.

''Once I am out of this place, I will earn enough money to start farming on my own. I don't wish to beg any further; it hardly brings you money and you loose prestige. I want to earn money by farming for my family,'' said Durgadas Modh, beggar turned farmer.

''I never thought of earning money by producing vegetables and selling them. I used to believe in easy money coming as alms from pedestrians and passengers. Now I have a new lease of life,'' said Birju Lohar, beggar turned farmer.

The vegetables they grow are organic and there's a good market for them.

''We have initiated talks with corporates in retail of vegetables to buy from us and sell through our outlets. In fact, that will also ensure a steadier income for the inmates,'' said Dina Patel, Superintendent, Surat Bhikshuk Gruh.

This is a success story the government wants to replicate at other homes for beggars in Gujarat.

FM takes on Left

A day after Finance Minister P Chidambaram took an indirect swipe at the left accusing them of slowing down economic growth, irate Left leaders have hit back to the FM's comments. CPI(M)Politburo member -- Sitram Yechury took strong exception to the Finance Minister's comments and said that he is attempting to mislead the general public in terms of what the left stands for. He said that the left is not against growth, but it is against growth that benefits a small minority and that the left wanted growth to be more inclusive.

Sitaram Yechury said that the Finance Minister should be more concerned about inclusive growth and should not be concerned about the growth of a small group. Also reacting to the FM was Brinda Karat -- CPI(M)Politburo member said that they have started their position on reforms in Parliament. She also added that Finance Minister has not been able to answer some questions raised by the Left. She added that price rise has been one of the biggest failures of this government. She said, "India should be protected from global trends which is also a creation of this new liberal framework. Though the corporate sector and markets are showing a growth, large section of poor people have not seen the growth."


'Don't find fault in everything we do'

Finance Minister P Chidambaram took a swipe indirectly at his left allies. In comments that did not go down well with the left parties, the FM has indirectly hit out at the left parties and said that those who claim that growth only helped the rich are the worst enemies of the poor.

Chidambaram said that some 60 members of parliament criticised everything being done by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and him to improve the economy. Though the Finance Minister did not directly mention the Left, but made a clear reference to them as they hold 62 seats in the Lok Sabha.

P Chidambaram said, "What do they want us to do? Do they only want us to distribute poverty in this country? Those who say the market growth is irrelevant and those who say the growth only helps the rich are the worst enemies of the poor. “The FM went on to explain that with the Indian economy growing at close to 9% , poverty can be wiped out in the next generation if the current pace of growth is sustained.

He also added, "They say that the economic growth is irrelevant and only a small group of people had benefited from it", but "if we continue to grow close to nine percent, by 2020 India's per capita income will be US $2,000 and by 2050 it will be $16,000. If this growth rate continues, I will provide Rs.15,100 crore (Rs.151 billion) for the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (universal education programme) and Rs.8,000 crore (Rs.80 billion) for the midday meal scheme next year."

Chidambaram said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was able to implement many development programmes for people only because of the high growth rate. "If we continue to grow at this rate, India will be among the most prosperous countries in the world," he said

(With inputs from PTI)

TIBET UNREST SPREADS

Brushing aside calls for dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China on Saturday vowed to ''crush'' the ''Tibet independence forces'' as it raised to 19 the death toll in riots that rocked Lhasa last week during the most virulent anti-China protests in two decades.
'China must resolutely crush the Tibet independence forces' conspiracy and sabotaging activities,'' The People's Daily, the official mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said in its commentary today, effectively rejecting growing calls from the West for China to hold dialogue with the Dalai Lama to end the crackdown on agitators.

''We must see through the secessionist forces' evil intentions'' and maintain stability and protect people's ''fundamental interests'', the commentary said.

As it intensified its manhunt for the ''most wanted'' suspects and rushed more troops to the restive areas in Tibet, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, the government today said 18 civilians and a police officer were killed in the recent mob violence.

China had earlier said 13 civilians were either burned or hacked to death while the Tibetan government in exile based at Dharamsala has disputed the official casualties figure and put the toll at 99.

The People's Daily said the violent incidents were created by the ''Tibet independence forces'' and masterminded by the ''Dalai Lama clique'', with the ''vicious intention'' of undermining the Olympics and splitting Tibet from China.

''They exposed the Dalai clique's hypocrisy in proclaiming non-violence, peaceful dialogue, not seeking independence and caring for the Tibetan people,'' the paper said.

Talking tough:

With the Tibet issue coming under global spotlight and pressure piling up ahead of the Olympics, which it wants to use to showcase itself to the world, China asserted that nearly 100 countries had demonstrated their support to its action to quell the unrest.

''It is a clear proof that the international community is on the side of China,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted as saying by a Chinese news agency.

China's response came a day after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and demanded an ''independent, outside'' investigation into Beijing's allegation that the Tibetan spiritual leader was the instigator of the unrest.

She also asked all ''freedom loving'' people to speak out against China's ''oppression'' in Tibet.

Dismissing the Dalai Lama as a ''chief representative of the surf system'' and a political refugee engaged in activities of splitting China, Qin said China opposed any ''encouragement or support'' for the secessionist attempts of the ''Dalai clique'' which violated the basic principles of international relations.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, has repeatedly denied charges of inciting the Lhasa riots and said he was ready to meet the Chinese leadership for a dialogue.

China has insisted that the Dalai Lama must recognise Tibet and Taiwan as parts of China and undergo a ''thorough review of himself'' to create conditions for talks.

The Tibet government said on Friday that 241 police officers were injured, 23 critically, in the Lhasa riots and updated the number of civilians injured from 325 to 382, including 58 seriously. The economic losses were estimated at USD 34.59 million.

Police said 183 ''perpetrators'' of the riots had surrendered so far. Stepping up its clampdown, authorities on Friday released the pictures of 21 ''most wanted'' suspects.

Troops have moved into the restive Tibetan areas to bolster the government crackdown on the simmering unrest.

For the first time since the volcanic eruption of violence during monks-led protests Friday last that jolted the Communist leadership, China on Friday admitted that the police opened fire and wounded four protesters at Aba county in southwestern Sichuan province on Sunday.

Pressure on China

Germany has now asked Beijing not to block channels to Tibet. The German foreign minister said, ''We want to know exactly what has happened in Tibet.

He also said that China's policy of expelling journalists was harming China. In any case, the Olympics in August would bring thousands of journalists to China and then nothing could be swept under the carpet.

Relations between Beijing and Berlin have been strained after Chancellor Angela Merkel received the Dalai Lama in her office last September.

Protests in Tokyo

Tibetan protesters also demonstrated in Tokyo. About 80 of them marched to the Chinese embassy and wanted to hand over a letter to the authorities. After the police prevented them, they stood outside and shouted slogans.

The letter said that China should not hold the Olympics.

(With PTI inputs)

Suicide rallies on Vidharbha Farmers

Even as the nation revels in Holi festivities, there is no colour for debt-ridden farmers in Vidharbha in Maharashtra.

Three farmers — Gorakh Nikam, Atmaram Patil and Gokul Pawar — took their lives for not being able to pay back moneylenders.

Nikam is from Nashik while the others are from Dhule. All three had reportedly borrowed from moneylenders. According to Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, 216 farmers committed suicide in 2008 alone.

One suicide is reported every eight hours from the suicide belt of Vidharbha, and this despite the government’s Rs 60,0000-crore farm loan waiver.

According to experts the loan waiver is of little help as less than half of the marginal and small farmers, owning up to two hectares, are expected to benefit. Reports say more than 22 farmers who have taken their lives in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region had over five acres of land.

In Vidarbha, of the 63 families, only 13 qualify for the government's loan waiver.

The rest have more than five acres of land and debt ranging from Rs 15,000 to 20,000.

Rahul Gandhi impresses Tony Blair

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair showered praise on the Nehru-Gandhi family scion Rahul Gandhi, saying he stood out as the ''most talented'' and ''insightful'' of the younger generation of politicians worldwide.

''He (Rahul) has got a first class mind and great commitment to India... And you know he is one of those politicians that can take a step back and look at, what I call the big picture, and he's definitely someone who does that,'' Blair said.

He was responding when asked if Rahul Gandhi impresses him as a possible Prime Minister of India.

Blair, who himself was a young generation Prime Minister, described Gandhi as ''the most talented, able and insightful of the younger generation of politicians worldwide.''

ABROAD Is SAFE : TASLIMA

Controversial Bangladesh author Taslima Nasreen today (March 19) left India for an unknown destination and has reached London, as she voiced her bitterness against the Indian government accusing it of being no better than "religious fundamentalists."

Talking to a news agency at the London's Heathrow Airport before taking a connecting flight after she left New Delhi this morning on a British Airways flight, the 46-year-old author refused to disclose where she was heading saying she did not want to "compromise" on her security.

Taslima is understood to heading towards Toronto in Canada. "If I disclose my destination my security will be compromised. My face has now become recognisable and I could be target of religious fundamentalists," she said.

Taslima, whose India visa was extended for further six months last month, alleged her human rights was infringed in the last four months when she was brought to Delhi after being hounded out from Kolkata.

Taslima said she will not hesitate to discuss what she said the traumatic experience she allegedly went through during various international seminars lined up in Europe in the next few months.

"I was put under tremendous stress but I could not speak out as I was under their(government) surveillance and could be harassed by them," she said in a choked voice from the British Capital. "The government(Indian) is no better than religious fundamentalists," she said.

Nasreen said she used to call the Government safe-house in Delhi where she was put up as the "torture chamber".

"I gradually came to realise that it was the chamber of death instead," Taslima said, adding she was forced to leave India because of "extreme stress" that she went through the last four months.

MK.Narayanan : Monitoring LTTE LINKS

National Security Advisior MK Narayanan has once again reiterated his belief, that Kerala and Tamil Nadu have pockets of people, who are lending help to the LTTE.

The statement comes just days after the 'Q' branch of the Tamil Nadu police siezed two boats that were being manufactured in Kerala for the LTTE. The police had siezed the boats being built at Munambam in Ernakulam district following leads, that they got from two LTTE cadre arrested in Thirichirapally in Tamil Nadu.

As National Security Advisor MK Narayanan quotes, "We have come to know that in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in some pockets there are people, who are supporting the LTTE. The Central Intelligence Agencies are closely monitoring this situation."

The Director General of Police stated, "Sixty checkposts have been set up along the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu as part of enhanced security measures to prevent infiltration of extremist forces and LTTE activists."

In an informal chat with the media, the DGP claimed that specially trained police personnel, were maintaining a strict vigil all over Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The DGP also added that there were no Naxalite activities in the state, as the department has succeeded in preventing their activities in the initial stage itself. The DGP commented on the issue after inaugurating the housing quarters for the Tamil Nadu Special Police 4th Battalion at Kovaipudur.

TIBET UNREST

Unconfirmed sources claim that at least 100 people have been killed in Tibet where the situation continues to spiral out of control after the Chinese crackdown on Tibetan protestors on the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

What Beijing does next is being watched closely by the international community particularly since the Olympics are around the corner.

Lhasa's still burning despite the curfew imposed by the Chinese government after Friday's crackdown by the Chinese police on Tibetans demanding that the Beijing Olympic Games be cancelled.

The protests were also timed to mark the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

The Tibetan government in exile claims at least 100 people could have died so far but the figure is impossible to verify.

China's violent reaction to what began as peaceful protests has evoked global condemnation.

''We have urged also that the Chinese government respect Tibetan culture, as well as the multiethnic nature of China. It is very important in our view, and President Bush has expressed this view, that Chinese government open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and we continue to urge that. Nobody benefits from violence. Nobody wants to see it. But it is very important that, in responding to these protests, that the Chinese government turn away from the use of force or violence in responding to the protests,'' said Sean McCormack, State Department Secretary.


The Chinese government does not want to appear weak by not reacting to the protests. Beijing has now given the Tibetan protesters till Monday to surrender.

''Fighting, looting, burning - these actions destroy the stability of society. These events can be described as an organised and planned plot. We are very determined to denounce this separatist activity, and the plot will not be successful,'' said Champa Phuntsok, Chairman, Tibetan Government.

Now China is worried that its plan to carry the Olympic torch over Mt Everest and into Tibet may be affected by the protests. This may draw the world's attention to Tibet and away from the Olympic games.

But after the crackdown, the worst in the last two decades, avoiding bad press may be difficult.

RAHUL FAVOURS DALITS........!!

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is on a visit to Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

He has met the Dalit family, whose five members were shot dead by criminals over a land dispute in Ameenabad on Wednesday night.

Rahul Gandhi's visit is being seen as an attempt to strengthen the Congress party's base among Dalits ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections.

The ruling Bahujan Samaj Party had reacted sharply to Rahul spending a night with a Dalit family in Purejaisingh village under Bahadurgarh block in his Parliamentary constituency of Amethi on January 26.

Chief Minister Mayawati had charged the Congress with trying to woo the Dalits only for political gains but doing nothing for them.

Samson D'Souza RAPED and left Scarlette to DIE.....

The Goa police on Thursday claimed that the prime suspect in the murder of Scarlette Keeling has confessed to the crime and he has already been charged with the rape and murder of the 15-year-old British tourist.

Claiming a breakthrough in the tourist murder probe, the police said the 29-year-old bartender, Samson D'Souza, has confessed to drugging the British teenager and dumping her in shallow water after sexually abusing her.

The second accused in the case, Placido Carvalho, alias Shanuboy, — allegedly a drug dealer — gave drugs to Scarlette on that fateful night.

Goa IGP Kishen Kumar claimed Shanuboy intoxicated Scarlette with a cocktail of narcotics and alcohol. "Samson D'Souza then raped her and left her unconscious beyond the high tide line where she later drowned," he said.

The girl died due to a drug overdose and drowning in shallow water, the IGP said. 15-year-old Scarlette's semi-nude body was found on Anjuna beach on February 18.

Resume Work : Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today asked the employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to resume work saying the existing airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore would continue to remain operational for general aviation (corporate and business jets), defence purposes and national emergencies.

However, the airports would not be open for commercial operations, he said, adding the “interests of the AAI employees at these airports will be fully protected.”

The employees are on strike against the proposed closure of the two airports once the private greenfield facilities start functioning.

All reserved activities such as security, immigration, Customs and air-traffic control would continue to be under government control, Patel told Parliament.

Patel’s statement is a change from the government’s earlier stand that the two airports would be closed for aviation operations.

However, Patel’s offer has been rejected by the employees’ union. “The agitation will continue. The government’s earlier assurances did not materialise. We would like to sit across the table and sort out the matter,” said union leader Dilip Gurjar.

The Centre has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to thwart any full-fledged strike that the current non-cooperation may lead to.

“Flight operations have remained normal and there is by and large no impact on air traffic services at the airports,” said an AAI spokesperson.

There were reports from Hyderabad (220 air traffic movements daily), Kolkata and Bangalore (300 movements and 28,000 passengers daily) that housekeeping services and baggage-handling services had been mismanaged.

“The impact of the strike was visible on the housekeeping services at the airport, though we managed the baggage handling services well,” said an official of Hyderabad airport.

Bangalore airport reported a minor disruption but 90 per cent functioning was normal, said Director N Kaushal. The two other Metro airports at Delhi and Mumbai, which are run by private airport operators, handled the situation with ease.

“Flight movement was smooth here,” said a senior official at Delhi airport as the indefinite agitation by Airports Authority of India Employees Joint Forum began at midnight.

The forum claimed about 14,000 employees were on “indefinite non-cooperation movement” since the midnight of March 12, affecting operations at 127 airports.

About 2,000 workers at Mumbai airport did not report for work since the strike began but it had not affected operations, officials said.

Man Escapes from RAIL accident : IBN Video

INTEL Award for Indian-American High School girl

An Indian-American High School girl has bagged a whopping $ 100,000 Intel scholarship for developing a model to identify early stage colon cancer patients with a high risk for recurrence, beating competition from 1,600 others.

Shivani Sud, 17, of North Carolina won the Intel Foundation's top award aimed at honouring the next generation of scientists and innovators in the US.

For her research project, Sud developed a model that analysed the specific ''molecular signatures'' of tumors from patients with stage II colon cancer.

She then used this information to identify those at higher risk for tumor recurrence and propose potentially effective drugs for treatment, Intel said in a media release.

''That proud feeling comes from doing what I do and not just the acknowledgment of it,'' Sud, who attends Jordan High School, was quoted as saying by The News and Observer of Durham.

Sud said her interest in cancer research started very early on as a result of a relative developing cancer.

''I saw how hard that was for my family, I saw how that kind of changed my outlook on life, because when you're six years old, you don't think about topics such as death or dying from this type of cancer -- having your life change drastically,'' she said.

This year's Intel Science Talent Search finalists came from 19 states and represented 35 high schools throughout the United States.

Hockey Federation chief KPS Gill Refuses to RESIGN :

Despite India's disgraceful exit from the Olympics qualifier, hockey federation chief KPS Gill has said he had no intention of resigning from the post.

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) president denied giving any 'instant coffee' remark. "I never made this statement."

Gill said that the focus of the IHF was on juniors and not seniors. He emphasised that the federation has done well in that regard.

Defending himself over the Olympics qualifier issue, Gill pointed to the fact that India had won 10 major hockey tournaments during his 14-year tenure.

"When I took over we were nowhere in hockey. From 1998 till now, we have won approximately 10 major titles," he said.

"You have to see the effort, it is not only the federation. When you call it a National Game it has to be a national effort. It becomes a national sport through symbiosis through the government, IHF and Sports Authority of India. Now for four years, the training centres for hockey were non-existent," said Gill.

Another justification that Gill gave on the recent hockey debacle was that India's performance at world cup has always been bad.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS ROCKZ With SRK

Even as the second auction was on, one team unveiled its name - Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata team will be called the Kolkata Knight Riders and the star was in his element at the launch.

"Iss team mein do gundey hain - ek lamba gundey hai aur ek 'Dada' hai - hum Delhi mein gundey ko dada bolte hai (We have two bad guys in our team)," said Shah Rukh Khan.

Shahrukh Khan's tongue-in-cheek humour had the media rolling over as he touched down in the City of Joy to launch the Kolkata Knight-Riders, the city's IPL team and with the famed Aussie coach John Buchanan and team skipper Sourav Ganguly in town, Khan said it was a matter of time before things would fall in place for the Knight-Riders.

We have mashalla really really good players in our team already. Now how they gel together is a thing. Once that works, we are really happy with what we have at this point of time," said King Khan.

"We have a series against South Africa - three Test matches which finishes two days before the first IPL game. So, we need to sit with John (Buchanan) and work it out because other than the Indian players, others would be available. We will work something out - to train them and get used to the conditions," said Ganguly.

Shahrukh also released the team's official song and playing shirts. The colours of the team are black and gold. And the team's mascot will be a tiger called "Hoog Lee".

"I have already requested Sourav and John to dance at the beginning of every game. So, they have relented and we all are learning the Bollywood steps. John is doing very well," said Shah Rukh.

Now that's a clever one if you are want to draw the average Bengali to the stadium.

"Whenever the Kolkatans scream very loud for me to dance, I will dance for you guys. I will be there for every match," assured the Bollywood's superstar.

By the body-language of Shah Rukh Khan, it seems that his Tigers are just waiting to roll.

SBI Marches On............!!

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday inaugurated the 10,000th branch of State Bank of India (SBI) in Puduvayal – making it the second bank in the world to have as many branches.

The launch of the branch in Puduvayal in Sivaganga district was accompanied by the playing of traditional musical instruments like Tharai and Thappattai.

A Chinese bank is the only other in the world to have so many branches.

SBI chairman O P Bhatt was also present at the inauguration ceremony.

A small panchayat (village council) town in the Chettinad region, Puduvayal is well known for its rice mills and the Friends Volleyball Club. Puduvayal means 'new farm' in Tamil.

This is the second rural bank branch Chidambaram launched in Sivaganga, his constituency, after presenting the 2008-09 union budget.

On Saturday, he opened the 2,956th branch of Bank of India at Kundrakudi in the same district.

Why People Elected Govinda......??

Actor-politician Govinda is known for being late on film sets but it appears that his bad habit has crept into his political career as well.

In 2004, when he defeated the BJP heavyweight Ram Naik from Mumbai North many saw at it as a second innings for Govinda.

However, the actor’s political stint has been totally uneventful. Here’s a look at how he fares as a parliamentarian.

• Parliament records show that he has attended only 10 per cent of all Parliament sessions in the last four years.
• He had had a relatively good year in 2005, attending 15 sessions out of 85.
• In 2006, his attendance fell to seven out of 77.
• 2007 saw the worst with the actor attending only two sessions out of 66.
• This year, when the Congress leadership was glowing in its apparent dream budget, Govinda decided to give that the miss too. His account is yet to open this year in Parliament.
• Parliament records also show that the actor has spoken only twice in the House – on May 10 and 11, 2005, for a minute each during Zero Hour.

NANO Set to Rock EUROPE

The small car story is getting bigger as Nano generated immense excitement at the Geneva motor show and it seems the small wonder is going to be much in demand in Europe.

Ratan Tata has already outlined his global vision for the Nano saying that he would consider giving licenses to foreign car manufacturers to make it abroad.

A maddening crowd and much anticipation that greeted the small wonder in Geneva was not much different from the frenzy that Nano had generated when it first debuted at Delhi in January.

For Ratan Tata, it was the culmination of a dream which saw him deliver not just a people's car but also silence his critics, this time on the world stage.

Europe is already clamouring for the Nano and they are waiting that when would Europe get the car.

It is interesting to see that even though Tata had accounted for a huge demand when it started planning the Nano, the overwhelming response worldwide has meant that it might need to revise its deadlines and even consider other options like licensed manufacturing and franchise assembling as options.

Sachin NO.1

Sachin Tendulkar bagged his throne back as he has replaced Aussies skipper Ricky Ponting to become the world's number one One Day International batsman. After all the controversy that surrounded India's tour down under, the Men in Blue finished the Commonwealth Bank series on a high note by creating history.

This great victory and performance by Team India silenced all critics. The man who was the hero of both the finals was none other than the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar. Over the years Sachin's form and class was doubted and critics added pressure by telling that he has passed his best. However, it is well known that form is temporary and class is permanent. Sachin Tendulkar silenced all his critics with a special innings that got India to lift the trohpy and also made him the Numero Uno batsman in the world yet again.

Sachin's willow did all the talking and he did what he is known for -- scripting yet another memorable chapter in the history of Indian cricket. He scored an unbeaten century at the first final in Sydney and he delivered yet another special innings at the Gabba which assisted India to bag the CB Series down under.

Excited about his current form Sachin said, "It came at the right time and when it was needed the most. I was not worried about the criticism because people will talk. My job is to go out there and play. I am happy that we won in Australia. This will be a special moment for me throughout my life and I hope this continues."

The batting genuis did the trick for his skipper and kept India going against all the odds. Sachin's batting rattled the Australian players. As Sachin scored his maiden ton in One-Dayers down under, the little master piled a massive 399 runs in the series with a staggering strike rate of 85. The Master Blaster gave millions of Indians one of the most unforgettable moments in Indian cricket on Tuesday, 4th March, 2008.

INDIAN YOUTH CRICKETERZ WON TNE MAXIMUM (WORLD CUP)

India won the Under-19 cricket World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday defeating South Africa by 12 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-reduced final.

Ajitesh Argal was the Man of the Match for his two wickets for just seven runs that turned the match in India's favour after they were bowled out for just 159 runs.

The win is the second time that India have won the Under-19 cricket World Cup. The first time India won the World Cup was in 2000 in Sri Lanka when they defeated the hosts by six wickets.

Even though India were bowled for only 159 in 45.4 overs but the rains came to their rescue and the target for South Africa was revised to 116 runs in 25 overs.

However, the South Africa colts just like their senior team failed to rise on the big occasion and could score only 103/8 in 25 overs to end as the runners up for the second time. South Africa had lost to Australia in the final of the World Cup in 2002 also.

Learn From 10ulkar........!! : Ponting

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Sunday asked his batsmen to take a leaf out of Sachin Tendulkar's masterclass at the SCG if they want to beat India in the second cricket tri-series finals in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"I would like our batsmen to take a look at how he (Tendulkar) built an innings. He had a few close shaves to start with but once he got through the new ball, he upped the tempo of his innings and controlled the game beautifully," said a subdued Ponting after his side's six-wicket defeat.

"Tendulkar sums up a game situation very well, that's something we would require our batsmen to do and go for big knocks when set."

Ponting said Tendulkar appeared to plan ahead of what his team was trying to do against him.

"He has some sort of plan what we are trying to do. We have to think one step ahead of him," he said.

Ponting also didn't lose sight of young Rohit Sharma, the other Indian batting star of the night.

"He played very well. He rotated the strike nicely and kept the scoreboard ticking over. He looks pretty calm and controlled.

His stand with Tendulkar was one of the big moments of the game," he said.

Ponting conceded that the visitors had their nose in front of them and his team would have to lift themselves in all departments of the game in the next match at the Gabba.

"In that Melbourne game (on February 29) I thought we were switched off. We were too excited to plan for finals. But today, we didn't do a good job with bat, ball or in the field.

"We pride ourselves for doing well in big games, in finals, but it didn't happen today."

More Money In your Pocket

For most people who depend on a monthly pay cheque for a living, the most significant thing in Budget 2008 is the tax relief announced by finance minister P. Chidambaram. While farmers will cheer the Budget because of the Rs60,000 crore loan waiver it provides them, those drawing salaries will likely be pleased at the prospect of paying less tax than they used to.

Generous grants, compassion, righteous rule and succour to the downtrodden are the hallmarks of good governance, Chidambaram said, quoting poet Tiruvalluvar while explaining the farm loan package.

Chidambarams move to provide some tax relief to individuals is backed by an 8% growth rate in the economy for 12 successive quarters till December, and higher tax collections. A more stringent tax monitoring mechanism and simpler filing policies have increased the number of taxpayers as well as tax receipts.

Tax (or tax relief) isnt the only way the Budget touches the common man. Lowering of excise duties will reduce the prices of several products, including entry-level cars.

An increase in outlay for education and health by 20%, a national programme for the elderly, a national AIDS programme, increased allocation for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, and programmes for women and children are some of the highlights of Budget 2008. The government has also announced three new social security programmes for the unorganized sector the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. The subsidy for housing for the poor has also been increased.

However, it is on the tax front that the common man has the most to celebrate. The income-tax exemption limits for individuals have been increased from the current Rs1.1 lakh to Rs1.5 lakh. For women, the basic tax exemption limit has been enhanced from Rs1.45 lakh to Rs1.8 lakh and senior citizens can now avail of the basic exemption limit at Rs2.25lakh instead of the current Rs1.65 lakh. Tax slabs have been increased such that for income up to Rs1.5 lakh, the tax liability will be zero, from Rs3 lakh to Rs5 lakh, the tax rate applicable is 10% and from Rs5 lakh onwards, the applicable tax rate is 30%.

Patching Up on the WAY ....!!

DMK leader M K Stalin's birthday was the occasion when the estranged Maran brothers made up with the Karunanidhi family, after a year of feud.

The first public sign of the patch up was Kalanidhi Maran leaving Stalin`s residence after an hour-long meeting.

Maran said, ''Don`t make me a hero. The real hero is on stage.''

The reconciliation comes ten months after a family feud over a controversial opinion poll on the DMK patriarch's possible successors.

A survey that had led to violence in Stalin's elder brother Azhagiri`s stronghold in Madurai and Dayanidhi Maran's exit from the Union Cabinet.

Sources said that the peace deal was actually initiated last week by Stalin's sister Selvi, when he visited her in Bangalore.

This was followed by a secret meeting between Kalanidhi and his grand Uncle Karunanidhi on Saturday afternoon.

Relations between the Marans and Karunanidhi`s immediate family had recently worsened over a cable distribution tug of war.

The Chief Minister had warned Dayanidhi through the DMK journal Murasoli to go into hiding.

But does reconciliation means a political comeback for Dayanidhi? Sources close to the Marans say that for now the family comes above politics and business.