Obama will have to dine Indian style at Bukhara

NEW DELHI – What is that Indian gastronomic delight that will tickle the taste buds of the world’s most powerful man? The chefs of Bukhara restaurant here are tightlipped as they cook up a dish to be named after US President Barack Obama – but it sure promises to be ‘finger-licking’ good.

Obama, who …. Original article  : Obama will have to dine Indian style at Bukhara.

Milkmen back in New Zealand after two decades

AUCKLAND – Milkmen will be seen once again in New Zealand after fading away from the scene for the past two decades.

A new service launched by the Trusty Delivery Company will deliver milk and other goods to almost 1,200 Auckland customers, in a bid to compete with supermarkets, the New Zealand Herald reported Sunday.
… Original article on : Milkmen back in New Zealand after two decades.

Kingfisher flight to Taj city from Sunday

AGRA – Kingfisher airlines is launching its Delhi-Agra flight from Sunday, in a move bound to be welcomed by tourists who want to visit the majestic 17th century Taj Mahal.

Although a chartered flight Saturday brought 140 guests to Agra, the regular flight begins Sunday afternoon.
Flight 4367, a 66-seater ATR plane, will …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kingfisher flight to Taj city from Sunday.

Dhaka could reap $2.3 bn from transit facilities to India, others

DHAKA – Bangladesh could reap a profit of $2.3 billion in a period of 30 years by giving transit facilities to India, Nepal and Bhutan, a think tank has said.

To earn that profit, Bangladesh would, however, have to invest $1.17 billion in capital expenditure, operation and maintenance costs for over 30 years to develop … Read more »»».

Larsen and Toubro planning Rs.2,000-crore PE fund

CHENNAI – Engineering and construction group Larsen and Toubro (L&T) is planning to launch a Rs.500-2,000-crore private equity fund as part of a strategy to become a financial supermarket.

“We are in the process of putting the pieces. We have to synergise on the skills that the group currently possess. We will start with a …. Source  : Larsen and Toubro planning Rs.2,000-crore PE fund.

Indian insurance industry to have stable profitable growth

NEW DELHI – The Indian life insurance industry is at the threshold of having a stable profitable growth, says a study.

“The insurance companies are poised for a quantum leap in performance with unprecedented growth opportunities, notwithstanding a temporary sliding growth curve,” says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ernst and … Read : Indian insurance industry to have stable profitable growth.

Hundreds protest Vedanta refinery in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – Hundreds of tribals Saturday staged a demonstration in Orissa’s Kalahandi district seeking scrapping of Vedanta Resources’s alumina refinery in the region, a protest leader said.

“The tribal men and women, armed with their traditional weapons, marched near Lanjigarh town shouting slogans against the company,” Lingaraj Azad, a leader of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samittee (forum … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hundreds protest Vedanta refinery in Orissa.

Mamata blames Bengal administration for illegal mining

KOLKATA – Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday blamed the state administration for rampant illegal mining in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, saying its failure to set up industries has aggravated the problem.

“Industries have not prospered in Kulti, Asansol and other areas in the district. That’s why illegal mining industry is gaining mileage in this area.
… Original article on : Mamata blames Bengal administration for illegal mining.

India keen to invest more in Sudan’s oil sector

NEW DELHI – India Saturday expressed keenness to invest in the oil sector of the north african state of Sudan and the latter offered to increase the supply of its crude to New Delhi during bilateral discussions here.

At a meeting of the Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and the visiting Sudanese Petroleum Minister Lual …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Not a single Railways job created in Bengal: Buddhadeb

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday claimed that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has failed to provide “a single job” in her department to the state, and accused her of lying about the recent Kolkata Metro snags.

“She has been the railway minister for more than a year. I just want to ask …. Source  : Not a single Railways job created in Bengal: Buddhadeb.

NALCO profit up at Rs.224 crore in Q2

BHUBANESWAR – The state-run National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO)’s net profit for the second quarter soared 40 percent at Rs.224 crore, the company said Saturday.

According to the reviewed financial results for the second quarter of the financial year 2010-11, NALCO has achieved higher net profit of Rs.224.04 crore, as against Rs.159.50 crore in …. Original source  : NALCO profit up at Rs.224 crore in Q2.

Punjab farmers end rail blockade, protests to continue

CHANDIGARH – Farmers in Punjab ended their rail blockade Saturday afternoon after thousands of passengers were stranded, but said protests against slow procurement of paddy by central and state government agencies will continue.

Although our demands have not been met by the government, we have decided to lift the blockade from the railway lines, for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Punjab farmers end rail blockade, protests to continue.

Railways, NTPC to ink pact on power plant

NEW DELHI – The railway ministry would Sunday ink a pact with the NTPC for building a captive power plant for itself at Adra in West Bengal.

The power plant will have a capacity of 1,320 MW (2 units of 660 MW each) and employ environment-friendly super critical technology, said a railway ministry statement Saturday.
… Read : Railways, NTPC to ink pact on power plant.

Delhi Metro extends corridor in Dwarka

NEW DELHI – The Delhi Metro Saturday added another 2.76 km to its network by extending train services to Dwarka sector 21, an official said.

According to a Delhi Metro spokesperson, the Metro services were so far available from Noida/Anand Vihar to Dwarka sector 9. The new section constitutes two stations – Dwarka sector 8 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

‘CPI-M delayed Smart City project’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Former Kerala industries minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, the brain behind the Rs.1,500-crore Smart City project, Saturday blamed the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) for delaying the IT township project at Kochi.

“They (CPI-M) did not have a clue that the basic premise of getting IT entrepreneurs into a state is through building infrastructure. They …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘CPI-M delayed Smart City project’.

Manmohan Singh concludes three-nation visit

HANOI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left here for home Saturday, ending a three-nation Asian tour of Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam during which he met with some top leaders from the region and concluded talks for major economic pacts with two countries.

During the visit, Manmohan Singh held bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh concludes three-nation visit.

Volatile supply from India may hit Bangladesh potato price

DHAKA – A “volatile” supply from India and a bad crop this year may lead to an increase in potato prices in Bangladesh ahead of the season approaching Bakr Eid, a media report said.

Prospects of a bad crop have sent the prices soaring by 50 percent in the last one week alone. But in …. Source  : Volatile supply from India may hit Bangladesh potato price.

Micro finance has great potential, says SBI chief

NEW DELHI – Regulators should take steps to sort out the controversies surrounding micro finance institutions (MFI), as they play an important role in economic growth, State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman O.P. Bhatt said Saturday.

Controversies associated with MFIs should be sorted out. These institutions have immense potential. They have already lent Rs.20,000 … Original article on : Micro finance has great potential, says SBI chief.

Hong Kong woos India Inc, keen on IT firms

NEW DELHI – Hong Kong is optimistic about economic ties with India, and expects more Indian companies, particularly information technology (IT) firms, to set up shop there, the city’s investment agency said.

“We are very optimistic about the future of investment and business relationship between India and Hong Kong. Presently there are leading Indian banks, … Read more »».

Reliance Industries Q2 net profit rises 28 percent

NEW DELHI – Reliance Industries Saturday reported a 28 percent rise in net profit for the second quarter ended Sep 30 at Rs.4,923 crore as against Rs.3,852 crore earned during the like period of the last fiscal.
The total income during the July-September quarter increased 22.5 percent to Rs.58,151 crore from Rs.47,476 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.