Aussies' GILLY Retires.....

Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist has announced his retirement from all international cricket after the end of the third day's play at the Adelaide Oval against India on Saturday.

Gilchrist, 36, who broke the world record for most number of Test dismissals on the second day, clarified that this would be his last Test.

"It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and One-Day cricket. I've come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me," Gilchrist said in a statement issued by Cricket Australia on Saturday.

"My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling," Gilchrist said.

"I am now ready and excited to move into the next phase of my life," he added, meaning the forthcoming Commonwealth Bank tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka will be his final appearance.

Player profile

Full name Adam Craig Gilchrist
Born November 14, 1971, Bellingen, New South Wales
Current age 36 years
Major teams Australia, ICC World XI, New South Wales, Western Australia
Nickname Gilly
Playing role Wicketkeeper batsman
Batting style Left-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
Height 1.85 m

INFOSYS MENTOR's NEW HEIGHTS

After having been declared as one of the recipients of state honour Padma Vibhushan, Murthy was also conferred with the Officer of the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian distinction of the Government of France.

The award was given to the veteran entrepreneur by the French Minister of Higher Education and Research Valerie Pecresse at a glittering function on Saturday evening.

Murthy was described as the "most admired business leader" of India.

Acknowledging the humble beginnings of Infosys - co-founded by Murthy in 1981 along with six friends - Pecresse said to have brought a company from $215 to a multi-million-dollar firm was a feat.

"Infosys, which employs over 82,000 staff, is a shining example of development in India," Pecresse was quoted as saying by news agencies.

First INDIAN Woman President to take Salute on Repulic Day March...!!

It was a historic moment on Saturday, as Pratibha Patil, who drove to the Rajpath in her motorcade along with her French counterpart Nicholas Sarkozy, became the first woman to take the salute in her capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at Delhi's Rajpath on the 59th Republic Day.

Her husband Devisingh Shekhawat, who was mistakenly identified as Devisingh 'Patil' once by the commentator, was beside her when she took salute.

The crowds were out in full flow for the parade and amidst heavy security cover, the procession moved from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhawan to the Red Fort.

As always, India's weaponry was on display and for the first time this year, the new Agni-3 missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead more than 3000 kilometers.

And while the parade was held in Delhi, the school contingents from across the country truly made it a slice of India.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy, the Chief Guest at this year's parade, is on a two-day visit to India, during which several agreements between India and France have been signed. They include pacts on defence and civil nuclear cooperation, transfer of technology trade and education.

The different regiments of the Army, Navy and the Air Force in all their finery and official decorations made it a grand occasion.

A march past by the armed forces was followed by a fly past by India air force jets. Four army men were awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest gallantry award.

And the tableaux this year by various states and departments were as colourful as ever.

In the wake of intelligence warning about possible terror strikes all intelligence agencies were on high alert.

Delhi was made a no-fly zone during the Republic Day parade, and public transport services including the Delhi metro train service were suspended till 1.30 pm. Around 20,000 security personnel were deployed across the capital while commandoes of the ITBP and Delhi Police took positions at strategic locations. (With PTI inputs)