Karnataka to announce special package for farmers today
In the backdrop of crop loss and farmer's suicides in Karnataka, the State government will announce a special package to famers either in the form of crop loan waiver or interest waiver on loans at a farmer's rally, which will be attended by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, in Haveri on Saturday. It is not known yet whether the government would announce the crop loan waiver scheme or waiver of interest on loans. A few days ago, the government announced waiver of interest on medium- and long-term on loans borrowed by famers from cooperative banks. So far, more than 500 farmers committed suicide across the State. During his much-awaited visit that lasted for around five hours in Mandya, Mr. Gandhi met the kin of two farmers who committed suicide recently and held two closed-door meeting with Mr. Siddaramaiah, and a few Cabinet Ministers on the farmer's plight. Following a demand from a large number of newly elected gram panchayat (GP) members, Mr. Gandhi told the Chief Minister to take steps to implement recommendations of K.R. Ramesh Kumar report on granting more power to GP members.
Future Group partners Patanjali Ayurveda
Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved announced a tie-up with the Future Group on Friday under which its products will be available at the Big Bazaar, KB'sand EasyDay outlets. The inspiration to go in for the partnership with the swadeshi firm to offer its wide-range of products, said Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani at the launch, came from the tie-up between the U.S. retail giant Walmart and FMCG firm P&G. Within the next 20 months, we expect to jointly do business worth Rs.1,000 crore, Mr. Biyani announced. A recent report by the global brokerage house, CLSA, put Patanjali ahead of major Indian FMCG companies, Emami and Jyothy Labs. Patanjali, the report said, is perhaps the fastest growing fast moving consumer company in India with revenues in excess of Rs.2,500 crore for 2014-15.
Tunisian group wins Nobel Peace Prize
The prize was awarded "for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011". The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize went to the National Dialogue Quartet in Tunisia. The prize was awarded to the group "for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011". The National Dialogue Quartet consists of four organisations in Tunisian civil society - the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT, Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA, Union Tunisienne de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'Artisanat), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH, La Ligue Tunisienne pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme), and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers (Ordre National des Avocats de Tunisie)
After the Arab Spring in Tunisia in 2010-2011, the Quartet paved the way for a peaceful dialogue between the citizens.
Mumbai is the cheapest 'world city' to live in
Of 12 cities considered the most cosmopolitan in the world, Mumbai is the cheapest city to live and work in, says Savills World Research. London, Hong Kong and New York are the world's most expensive cities for companies to accommodate employees. Costs in London, especially, are going through the roof, says Savills World Research. In Mumbai, it costs just $29,088 to accommodate an employee, up only 2.4% since 2008. In Shanghai the cost to accommodate an employee has risen 15.6% to $38,089. The average cost of living and working in Mumbai has risen over the past seven years, to U$29,088 per year as of June 2015, from US$ 28,394 per year in December 2008. By comparison, other global cities have seen an increase of only 2.4%, in average cost of living and working.
Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra company to launch mobile phone
Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra have entered the consumer electronics space and the couple is set to launch a new range of mobile phones named after their son Viaan. The co-promoters of the tainted IPL team Rajasthan Royals have entered the electronics business through the BSEand Calcutta Stock Exchange-listed Hindusthan Safety Glass Industries (HSGI), in which they acquired the majority stake -25.75% each -a few months ago. The couple is now planning to shift the company's registered office to Mumbai. It is learnt that the total acquisition cost could not be more than Rs 2 crore. HSGI, now almost defunct, supplied safety glass to Hind Motors and its fortunes took a beating along with that of the automaker's. inducted into the board of HSGI in September. Kundra, at the company's September 28 AGM, had said, "Most likely, the mobile phone will be launched on November 25," according to a shareholder who attended the AGM. The share price of HSGI AGM, had said, "Most likely , the mobile phone will be launched on November 25," according to a shareholder who attended the AGM. ber 7, the company said the new promoters are planning to enter the consumer electronics business through their experience and contacts in the industry . All the registered brands of Viaan, Viaan Mobile, V Tab, V Power, V-TV will be sold in India and exported to key demand destinations like the UAE, CIS countries, Europe and the US. "There will also be a pan-India service centre network to focus on after sales," it stated.
Music director Ravindra Jain passes away
Veteran music director and lyricist Ravindra Jain, who was undergoing treatment at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, passed away at 4:10 pm today (October 9). The 71-year-old music composer was suffering from a urinary infection causing a problem in his kidney. Ravindra Jain was shifted from Wockhardt Hospital in Nagpur to Mumbai on Wednesday by a chartered air ambulance for treatment at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra. Ravindra Jain had been unwell for quite some time and he was under treatment at the Lilavati Hospital. He went to Nagpur to keep his commitment for a programme which he had planned much earlier. He was in Nagpur for a concert last weekend, but could not participate because of his health and was subsequently airlifted to Mumbai. Jain composed music for hit films like "Chor Machaye Shor", "Geet Gaata Chal", "Chitchor" and "Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se", in the 70s. He was given a big break by Raj Kapoor, for whom he composed many super hit songs in movies such as "Ram Teri Ganga Maili", "Do Jasoos", and "Heena", which was directed by Randhir Kapoor. During the 1980s and 1990s, Jain widely composed music for many mythological movies and television serials.
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