TIMES OF INDIA
Saturday 30 august 2008Stir forces Nano shutdown
Tata To Take Call On Singur Exit Early Next Week
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kolkata/Delhi: Is it the end of the road for the Tatas at Singur? On Friday, the company management decided to evacuate all its manpower from the Nano auto plant. None of the 800-odd engineers and executives, none of the workers, reported for work, ostensibly in light of Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee-led agitators’ threat to physically prevent Tata employees from entering the plant.
Company sources, however, said Tata chairman Ratan Tata and his top aides were set to make a ‘‘final assessment’’ by next week on whether the time had come to ‘‘walk the talk’’ and carry out the threat of pulling out from West Bengal.
In the same breath, though, the sources said that it would be ‘‘premature’’ to assume that the extreme measure would be taken.
Clearly, the Tatas were on edge in the face of daily threats and intimidation by the agitators. It appears that Thursday’s threat of the agitators to physically prevent workers from entering the plant has triggered the company’s decision to withdraw all its officers and workers from the plant and shut it down for now.
The West Bengal government appeared to be running out of ideas on how to bring Mamata to the negotiating table. It has already said that it was prepared to discuss all her demands, but the agitation in front of the Nano plant, that is increasingly going out of her control and taking a violent turn, should be called off.
Reacting to the road blockade on NH 2 that runs in front of the plant, the Calcutta High Court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure free movement of traffic on the highway. The police has also filed three cases against the agitators for obstructing Tata employees in the last two days.
Mamata reacted to the court directive saying that she was not going to call off her agitation. But at the same time, she betrayed nervousness at her losing control over the agitation. Reacting to rising threats to Tata employees, she said, ‘‘There are many organizations here. We cannot take responsibility for the action of others.’’
CPM West Bengal boss Biman Bose said Mamata had gone back on her promise of conducting her agitation ‘‘in a Gandhian manner, without threats or intimidation.’’ He said engineers from Japan, Korea and Singapore were being terrorized. ‘‘They are guests of our country,’’ he said. He warned if the Tatas pulled out of West Bengal, ‘‘it will be a disaster for the state’s economy.’’
Sensing that things have gone too far and Tatas might, indeed, pull out, top industry leaders — including Sunil Mittal, Venu Srinivasan, C K Birla, Jamshyd Godrej and K V Kamath — came to the Tatas’ support and said that if the group withdrew from West Bengal, it would be a huge setback for industrial investments and development of the country.
The Central government seemed undecided on whether it had a role in breaking the deadlock. While industry minister Kamal Nath said the Centre could find a solution to the Singur issue, science and technology minister Kapil Sibal said, ‘‘There is no role for the central government...it is for the state government to decide.’’
MEANWHILE IN SINGUR…
Tata evacuates all staff working at the Nano plant. Says it can't live with atmosphere of intimidation. Sources say Ratan Tata set to make “final assessment” on whether he should now “walk the talk” and get out of Bengal
Mamata losing control over agitators. Says, “We can't take responsibility for action of others”
CPM requests Tatas not to take hasty decision, lashes out at Mamata’s “irresponsible politics” but can’t get her to table for talks It’s final countdown for Tatas on Singur Frustrated With Continued Tension, Company Seems To Be Running Out Of Patience Pankaj Doval | TNN
New Delhi: Is it the end of the road for Tata Motors at Singur? Frustrated with unending turmoil over the company's upcoming Nano car plant, the company appears to have "run out of patience" and is making a "final assessment" of the situation, highly placed company sources told TOI.
The company, which has been made "more or less a hostage" in the state because of continued protests led by Mamata Banerjee's Trinamul Congress, is close to taking a final call over its continuation, sources said. "We are contemplating whether to walk the talk," the sources said, referring to the threat issued by Ratan Tata a few days back of withdrawing from the state if the tensions — giving a security threat to the company's employees — continue.
Tata Motors' frustration with the "out of control" situation can be gauged by the fact that the company decided not to send its workers to the factory site on Friday. "Our workers are not attending work today," a Tata Motors spokesperson said in a statement. Sources said the company might do the same on Saturday. However, no senior official came on record.
The sources said top officials of the company have taken a very grim view of the continued troubles. "It is as if we are under siege. While a majority of the casual workers have stopped coming to the plant, things have become worse, forcing the company to go for a shutdown today," the sources said.
However, no replies come on the crucial question of how long the company decides to stay put. "This is something which is being actively considered. Any final decision will be taken at the highest level, though no concrete timeframe can be given," the sources said. The decision would be taken only after Ratan Tata, currently abroad, returns to the country early next week. "We are still hopeful that some solution is arrived at and things are normalised," the sources added.
Tata Motors' 700-odd engineers; executives and technocrats have been coming in a police-protected cavalcade for the last few weeks. Not only that, the strength of the casual workers, so crucial to the development of the plant, has come down to only around 15%. Also, the blockade of the highway because of the protests has virtually made it impossible for trucks and other vehicles to enter the plant smoothly. "Workers cannot come in, trucks cannot ferry. The situation cannot be worse," the sources said.
While Tata Motors tries to resolve the tensions, it is understood to have asked vendors to gear up to produce a couple of thousand units monthly from its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand to meet the October launch deadline.
Sources said the company is planning to produce around 100 units daily from Uttarakhand, a state that gives lucrative tax breaks.
Singur is a symptom of a larger problem of land acquisition for industry. At least 15 huge projects are stuck (see table). Protesters are refusing to part with the land. At stake are investments worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore, or an amount equal to what India got from foreign investors in the last 7 yrs. It’s enough to change the face of India. So what is
the way out?
REVVING UP TO MOVE OUT?
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TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Lending weight to fears of a slowdown, India’s economic growth rate slipped to 7.9% in April-June 2008, the slowest growth in any quarter in the past three-and-a-half years, compared to 9.2% in the same period last year.
The growth dip was mainly on account of RBI’s hard anti-inflation measures like increasing interest rates. The downward trend in the first quarter growth rate, however, is on expected lines. RBI had projected growth of 8%, the PM’s Economic Advisory Committee had pegged it at 7.7% and the chief economic advisor between 7.75% and 8.75%.
What’s perhaps a little more worrying are the projections that say that things aren’t expected to improve in the rest of the year.
Global rating agency Moody’s revised its projection for economic growth this year to between 7% and 7.5%. It said in the present global scenario, 7.9% first-quarter growth meets expectations. Finance minister P Chidambaram, however, put up a brave front saying the economy would maintain 8% growth in 2008-09. In 2007-08, the economy had grown at 9.1%.
The main worry is the slowdown in the services sectors, which accounts for over 50% to the economy. According to Central Statistics Organisation, growth in trade, hotels, transport and communication fell to 11.2% against 13.1% in the same period last year.
Centre notifies new pay rules
The Centre notified late on Friday night the rules for implementing the sixth pay commission’s report. This was done after a committee of secretaries reviewed the pay panel’s recommendations. The rules uphold the edge of IAS over other services with additional increments at three stages — senior time scale, junior administrative grade and selection grade. P 14 Manufacturing slows down to 5.6% in Q1
New Delhi: With economic growth rate dipping to 7.9% and high interest rates, growth in sectors like financing, insurance and real estate also slowed down to 9.3% in April-June 2008 period from 12.6% in the same period last year.
Manufacturing grew by 5.6%, almost half of last year’s 10.9%. Agriculture sector has maintained a growth of 3% as against 4.4% in the same period last year.
However, improvement in the fixed capital formation has enthused economists, who believe that if the interest is not further increased, the growth rate could be maintained at 8%. The gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) improved to 34.2% from 33.6% in the same period last year. Chidambaram said that this has indicated that savings and investments in the economy have improved. This should help in maintaining the high economic growth.
But still the continuing high inflation rate is a prime concern. The government and RBI are determined to contain inflation. For this, the central bank would not mind increase in the interest rates. But, the Crisil chief economist DK Joshi feels that increase in the interest rate will affect the growth.
But, the good thing is that monsoon is well spread this year. Therefore, the agricultural production is likely to improve to provide a cushion to high growth.
Industry bodies expressed their happiness at the 7.9% growth. Ficci said that even at 8% growth the Indian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. But, it pointed out that high interest rate has dampened the enthusiasm of the private sector investment in the economy.
Subodh Varma | TIG
Land acquisition for industry is fast emerging as one of the most burning issues of our times. While a boost to industrialization is a chosen path for India to break out of the curse of mass poverty, project after project is getting sucked into the quicksand of resistance — indeed, to a point that the Tatas are now prepared to foresake Rs 1,500 crore but get out of Singur unless the situation there improves very soon.
The issue is not just of Singur. Across the country, from the forest-clad Niyamgiri hills in Orissa to Raigad on the Western ghats, from the lush fields of Punjab to the plains of Karnataka, huge industrial projects are floundering, trying to sort out an incendiary mix of local resentment, bureaucratic bungling and political brinkmanship.
At stake are investments worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore, or $54 billion — roughly equal to seven years’ FDI inflow into India or an amount more than the GDP of over 100 countries. It’s an amount that has the potential to change India’s economic fortune. It’s money that has been committed on giant projects involving mining, and production of steel, aluminium and power among various other commodities.
Also at stake is the livelihood of five lakh farmers — perhaps, not such a significant number in a country of a billion-plus population, but large enough not to be brushed aside with disdain.
These, after all, are people who have been living on this land for centuries and survive only because of it. Hence, a just and acceptable alternative/compensation for them is also necessary.
The total land in question is not too large. All big projects taken together propose to take up 92,000 acres — half the size of Mumbai, or twice the size of Kolkata or Chennai. And, mind you, all this land is not required at one place, but is scattered across the country. The Singur plant, for instance, requires just 957 acres.
So, why is land acquisition proving to be such a big problem? Especially when it is for something that could pull millions out of subsistence existence, and is of vital importance to the country? What could be a more intelligent approach by which everyone is taken on board?
FIGURING IT OUT
Total investments worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore, or $54 billion — an amount which is more than the GDP of over 100 countries
5 lakh farmers, who have been on this land for centuries, are affected
Combined land of big projects is 92,000 acres — half the size of Mumbai, twice the size of Kolkata HURDLE TO GROWTH Orissa has largest number of projects running into roadblocks
The biggest hurdle to land acquisition is the issue of compensation. In most cases, due to the prevalent law, a compensation package is offered to those who are directly displaced because they own that land. However, this does not solve the problem. Often, as is the case in Singur, nonlandowners — like share-croppers and farm hands — also subsisted on the Tata land (and have now been compensated).
In Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, Reliance was offering between Rs 310 to Rs 460 per square feet to the farmers for its power plant. However, the opposition has been so strong that people have laid down their lives in clashes with police. The reason is that a few kilometers away, private builders were buying up land at almost double the price. So, the Dadri farmers felt duped.
Of course, political forces also intervened — as they have in Singur — and twisted the whole thing beyond control, but the basic problem was there. So, adequate compensation is one issue. But, as the experience in Singur has shown, even the best of packages may run into trouble. Part of the reason lies in not taking the people into confidence, and thus allowing forces like Trinamool Congress and sundry Naxal groups to move in and exploit people’s insecurities.
But another part of the reason lies in ignoring the complex lives of the people who are associated with the land. Loss of employment opportunities is the biggest curse that can befall an Indian, especially in the
countryside. So compensation needs to be defined more broadly to cover all those that may be linked to land, and to include concrete job opportunities.
Orissa stands out as the state which has the biggest number of projects that have run into roadblocks. The tangled web of mining and processing rights that have been handed out by the state government has led to an explosive situation in the most mineral rich state of the country. The issues here are more complex. In Kalahandi’s Niyamgiri hills, where Sterlite/Vedanta is trying to mine bauxite, the Dongria Kondh community holds the forested hills as sacred. They are a primitive tribal group, shy in nature, practicing slash and burn cultivation of fruits on the slopes and drawing forest produce for survival. Nobody has cared for them so far, and neither have they cared for any outsider. Their fear is the proposed mines will finish off their source of livelihood, even the source of their water which springs from the Niyamgiri.
A somewhat similar situation prevails in Keonjhar where most iron mining projects including MittalArcelors are located. The people are not impressed merely by offers of jobs in the open cast mines. Hence their opposition, further aggravated by reports of the enormous profits projected by the companies. In this incendiary situation, much more adjustment is needed. Mining is essential for any industrial society. But can’t the local tribals benefit from the natural wealth? Why give them only a minimum wage job, that too in hazardous conditions? These are questions that the investors need to think about.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The Centre is veering around to meeting Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti’s demand for temporary diversion of land to build facilities for pilgrims in what could help it calm down passions in Jammu but carries the risk of triggering a fresh flare-up in the Valley.
Government sources said a political decision to allow the diversion of land for pilgrims has been taken, with the nitty-gritty to be worked out by J&K governor N N Vohra after consultations with all shades of opinion in the Valley. Care would also be taken to ensure that the “temporary” nature of the diversion of land is stressed unambiguously.
While talks with the Sangharsh Samiti are set to resume, an all-party meeting is also likely to be convened in an attempt to buffer the decision against a backlash in the Valley where separatists have gleefully seized upon the land controversy to stage a comeback just when they appeared to have been marginalized.
Mehbooba Mufti of PDP, whose somersault on the issue led to the revocation of the Ghulam Nabi Azad government’s decision to build temporary shelters for Amarnath pilgrims, provoking tension in the Valley, has already announced her intention to oppose any move to restore the order. Amarnath row may give BJP’s ‘minority’ theme a boost
New Delhi: The Centre seems all set to concede to the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti’s demand for temporary diversion of land to build facilities for pilgrims.
A significant pointer to the government’s leaning towards allowing facilities for pilgrims has already come through Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s letter to BJP leader L K Advani.
According to sources, Singh told the Leader of Opposition that the government intended to abide by the legislation meant to enable the J&K government to provide amenities to Amarnath pilgrims as well as the high court order directing them to do the same.
The thinking signals a shift from the earlier stance when the Centre appeared to be wary of annoying the sentiments in the Valley opposing land use change, and may have been prompted by the calculation to defang BJP’s plan to use the Amarnath issue in coming elections.
The resistance to facilities for Amarnath pilgrims in defiance of legislation as well as the HC order is a nice fit for BJP’s “appeasement of minorities” theme. In fact, ruling coalition circles feel that the issue may provide fresh potency to the plank which appeared to have lost the appeal it had in the late ’80s and ’90s.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Pune: The reaction was on expected lines. Forced on the backfoot by Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra’s bull’s-eye remark that professionals, not politicians, should head sports bodies, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi insisted that sports was better off with politicians and bureaucrats at the helm.
Kalmadi, who has been heading the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for seven years now, had a simple argument: they have an edge over others when it comes to garnering funds from the sports ministry.
India’s lone gold medallist at the Beijing 2008, shooter Bindra, who was the Guest Editor of TOI for Friday’s edition, had said that the biggest problem in sport today was the lack of knowledge among those who run it. ‘‘Indian sport needs CEOs with tangible targets,’’ Bindra had said. In response, Kalmadi told reporters on Friday: ‘‘That’s his opinion.’’
Politicians have a pretty dismal record as sports administrators in India but Kalmadi spotted virtues in the present system, even if that does seem to put him in a minority.
Times Impact: Bihar to buy rifle for Meera
Aday after TOI reported the case of a young Bihar shooter who couldn’t afford to practise because she didn’t have a rifle, the Bihar government on Friday announced that it would buy a gun for Purnia’s 50m rifle shooter Meera Kumari, who has won three gold medals besides a silver and a bronze in the national shooting championships. P 25 Kalmadi comes out to defend his ilk
Pune: Reacting to Abhinav Bindra’s potshot at sports administrators, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi tried to absolve his ilk of allegations. ‘‘Politicians, bureaucrats or top industrialists should head the sports federations as they can better communicate with the sports ministry,’’ he said. ‘‘The secretary should be from the field of sports and the selection committee should comprise all international players.’’
Initially, he was hesitant to say more, but then the 64-year-old Pune MP opened up. ‘‘What Bindra means is that there should be a chief executive officer (CEO) in sports bodies. It’s high time all sports bodies had a CEO to run the federations to ensure efficiency.’’
Bindra, the country’s lone individual gold medallist, had also said that most officials cannot get the respect of sportsmen. And the players don’t speak out due to fear. Kalmadi said, ‘‘I would welcome the players talking to the officials openly. It is tough time for us officials as well.’’
Cricket for bidding, not in Games
Kalmadi personally felt that cricket should not be included in Commonwealth or Olympic Games as he felt ‘‘it could take away attention from the other games.’’
However, when it was pointed out that it was he who had signed the proposal while bidding for 2010 Commonwealth Games to include cricket, Kalmadi made it clear that it was only to win the bid.
‘‘On two earlier occasions we had lost the bid, so somebody suggested us to include it in the bidding proposal. We had to get the Games and to get more votes we had to include cricket in the proposal. But we never followed it up seriously,’’ said Kalmadi.
On financial support
Kalmadi felt that more industrialists should come forward to support Olympic events and also approach the prime minister for tax concessions.
When pointed out that 26% of BCCI’s annual income (not profits) is given to players (as match fees, excluding training, travelling or hotel expenses) Kalmadi plainly said, ‘‘They (the cricket board) are rich people’’. But he said he was not in a position to tell how much the IOA was earning annually.
He touched on the magic figure of Rs 700 crore (the govt grant for training before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi) many a time. ‘‘We are fortunate to get this amount. Being a host nation, we need to win medals and this money will certainly help us in a big way. This is a massive increase in monetary support, considering India’s annual budget of sports is Rs 400 crore.
‘‘This amount will be used for training sportspersons for 310 days of which 100 days would be on training and competition abroad apart from hiring best of foreign coaches,’’ Kalmadi informed.
Without naming Mani Shankar Aiyer, he said: ‘‘During my friend’s time, there was ammunition shortage (for shooters). But now things are sorted out. Ammunition and shuttlecocks are available and will continue to be available for sportspersons.’’
Olympic bid
Kalmadi said India was seriously bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games in Delhi. There were initial reports that Pune could be one of the cities. But scoffing at the reports, Kalmadi said that Delhi stood a better chance, being the capital.
‘‘They are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010. The Olympic bidding process starts in 2011 and the final vote in 2013. We will take the final decision on bidding after the Commonwealth Games in 2010.’’
Kalmadi also said that International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge will be visiting Pune on October 16, during the Commonwealth Youth Games.
‘‘We have planned Rogge’s visit on October 16 with an educational programme which will be held at Ganesh Kala-Krida Manch on the same day.’’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: A 13-year-old student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool of DPS Mathura Road on Friday evening. The victim, identified as Mohammad Nadir, had come to the school for evening classes for weak students but did not report for class. Instead, his body was found in the pool before it had opened for the day.
Nadir, a Class VI student, was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed his death.
Nadir’s body was discovered around 5.15pm by the school staff who had come to clean the pool. Nadir, who couldn’t swim, was fully clothed in the water. Pool death: Fight angle being probed
New Delhi: After 13-year-old Mohammad Nadir was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool of DPS Mathura Road on Friday evening, police did not rule out foul play. They said they were investigating whether the victim had had a fight with other students. ‘‘It is very strange that Nadir went to the swimming pool which is some distance away from the main campus where the classes were being held,’’ an officer said.
Nadir’s mother Zaeeda said, ‘‘After attending the morning classes, Nadir came back home. He was again dropped to school around 4.30pm by his father at the school to attend extra classes. Around 5.15pm, we received the call from school authorities who told us that my son had been found unconscious and had been taken to Sahi hospital.’’
‘‘We rushed to the hospital where doctors told us that he is no more. We do not know how he died. I do not suspect anyone but cops should probe the matter. Nadir did not knew how to swim and it is suspected that he might have drowned,’’ she added.
Cops said that they have initiated an inquest into the death and were recording the statements of the security guards and cleaners who first found the body. The swimming instructors who came with other students were also questioned by the police team.
The security guards deployed inside the school told the police that they did not notice Nadir moving towards the pool. There’s a strong posse of private guards deployed in the school. ‘‘It is again strange that none of the guards noticed the boy going towards the pool much before the time it opens. We are questioning them,’’ a police officer said.
Police said that Nadir’s father Mohammad Salim works as a motor mechanic and the family stays in Chand Biwi Camp in Sarai Kale Khan. Nadir is survived by his parents and three sisters who are elder to him.
No DPS Mathura Road official was available for comment. Despite repeated efforts, the principal of the school, M I Hussain, could not be contacted.
The incident comes days after a 15-year-old student of DPS R K Puram died after falling from the fifth floor of the hostel building. The family of the girl had suspected foul play in her death. However, the school authorities said that she allegedly committed suicide due to peer pressure.
toireporter@timesgroup.com
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At 7.9%, GDP quarterly growth drops to 3-year low
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Lending weight to fears of a slowdown, India’s economic growth rate slipped to 7.9% in April-June 2008, the slowest growth in any quarter in the past three-and-a-half years, compared to 9.2% in the same period last year.
The growth dip was mainly on account of RBI’s hard anti-inflation measures like increasing interest rates. The downward trend in the first quarter growth rate, however, is on expected lines. RBI had projected growth of 8%, the PM’s Economic Advisory Committee had pegged it at 7.7% and the chief economic advisor between 7.75% and 8.75%.
What’s perhaps a little more worrying are the projections that say that things aren’t expected to improve in the rest of the year.
Global rating agency Moody’s revised its projection for economic growth this year to between 7% and 7.5%. It said in the present global scenario, 7.9% first-quarter growth meets expectations. Finance minister P Chidambaram, however, put up a brave front saying the economy would maintain 8% growth in 2008-09. In 2007-08, the economy had grown at 9.1%.
The main worry is the slowdown in the services sectors, which accounts for over 50% to the economy. According to Central Statistics Organisation, growth in trade, hotels, transport and communication fell to 11.2% against 13.1% in the same period last year.
Centre notifies new pay rules
The Centre notified late on Friday night the rules for implementing the sixth pay commission’s report. This was done after a committee of secretaries reviewed the pay panel’s recommendations. The rules uphold the edge of IAS over other services with additional increments at three stages — senior time scale, junior administrative grade and selection grade. P 14 Manufacturing slows down to 5.6% in Q1
New Delhi: With economic growth rate dipping to 7.9% and high interest rates, growth in sectors like financing, insurance and real estate also slowed down to 9.3% in April-June 2008 period from 12.6% in the same period last year.
Manufacturing grew by 5.6%, almost half of last year’s 10.9%. Agriculture sector has maintained a growth of 3% as against 4.4% in the same period last year.
However, improvement in the fixed capital formation has enthused economists, who believe that if the interest is not further increased, the growth rate could be maintained at 8%. The gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) improved to 34.2% from 33.6% in the same period last year. Chidambaram said that this has indicated that savings and investments in the economy have improved. This should help in maintaining the high economic growth.
But still the continuing high inflation rate is a prime concern. The government and RBI are determined to contain inflation. For this, the central bank would not mind increase in the interest rates. But, the Crisil chief economist DK Joshi feels that increase in the interest rate will affect the growth.
But, the good thing is that monsoon is well spread this year. Therefore, the agricultural production is likely to improve to provide a cushion to high growth.
Industry bodies expressed their happiness at the 7.9% growth. Ficci said that even at 8% growth the Indian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. But, it pointed out that high interest rate has dampened the enthusiasm of the private sector investment in the economy.
Why land has become a battleground
Across India, crucial investments are bogged down in controversy over land acquisition. TOI begins a series that will examine why projects that could pull millions out of poverty are struggling to get off the ground
Subodh Varma | TIG
Land acquisition for industry is fast emerging as one of the most burning issues of our times. While a boost to industrialization is a chosen path for India to break out of the curse of mass poverty, project after project is getting sucked into the quicksand of resistance — indeed, to a point that the Tatas are now prepared to foresake Rs 1,500 crore but get out of Singur unless the situation there improves very soon.
The issue is not just of Singur. Across the country, from the forest-clad Niyamgiri hills in Orissa to Raigad on the Western ghats, from the lush fields of Punjab to the plains of Karnataka, huge industrial projects are floundering, trying to sort out an incendiary mix of local resentment, bureaucratic bungling and political brinkmanship.
At stake are investments worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore, or $54 billion — roughly equal to seven years’ FDI inflow into India or an amount more than the GDP of over 100 countries. It’s an amount that has the potential to change India’s economic fortune. It’s money that has been committed on giant projects involving mining, and production of steel, aluminium and power among various other commodities.
Also at stake is the livelihood of five lakh farmers — perhaps, not such a significant number in a country of a billion-plus population, but large enough not to be brushed aside with disdain.
These, after all, are people who have been living on this land for centuries and survive only because of it. Hence, a just and acceptable alternative/compensation for them is also necessary.
The total land in question is not too large. All big projects taken together propose to take up 92,000 acres — half the size of Mumbai, or twice the size of Kolkata or Chennai. And, mind you, all this land is not required at one place, but is scattered across the country. The Singur plant, for instance, requires just 957 acres.
So, why is land acquisition proving to be such a big problem? Especially when it is for something that could pull millions out of subsistence existence, and is of vital importance to the country? What could be a more intelligent approach by which everyone is taken on board?
FIGURING IT OUT
Total investments worth Rs 2.43 lakh crore, or $54 billion — an amount which is more than the GDP of over 100 countries
5 lakh farmers, who have been on this land for centuries, are affected
Combined land of big projects is 92,000 acres — half the size of Mumbai, twice the size of Kolkata HURDLE TO GROWTH Orissa has largest number of projects running into roadblocks
The biggest hurdle to land acquisition is the issue of compensation. In most cases, due to the prevalent law, a compensation package is offered to those who are directly displaced because they own that land. However, this does not solve the problem. Often, as is the case in Singur, nonlandowners — like share-croppers and farm hands — also subsisted on the Tata land (and have now been compensated).
In Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, Reliance was offering between Rs 310 to Rs 460 per square feet to the farmers for its power plant. However, the opposition has been so strong that people have laid down their lives in clashes with police. The reason is that a few kilometers away, private builders were buying up land at almost double the price. So, the Dadri farmers felt duped.
Of course, political forces also intervened — as they have in Singur — and twisted the whole thing beyond control, but the basic problem was there. So, adequate compensation is one issue. But, as the experience in Singur has shown, even the best of packages may run into trouble. Part of the reason lies in not taking the people into confidence, and thus allowing forces like Trinamool Congress and sundry Naxal groups to move in and exploit people’s insecurities.
But another part of the reason lies in ignoring the complex lives of the people who are associated with the land. Loss of employment opportunities is the biggest curse that can befall an Indian, especially in the
countryside. So compensation needs to be defined more broadly to cover all those that may be linked to land, and to include concrete job opportunities.
Orissa stands out as the state which has the biggest number of projects that have run into roadblocks. The tangled web of mining and processing rights that have been handed out by the state government has led to an explosive situation in the most mineral rich state of the country. The issues here are more complex. In Kalahandi’s Niyamgiri hills, where Sterlite/Vedanta is trying to mine bauxite, the Dongria Kondh community holds the forested hills as sacred. They are a primitive tribal group, shy in nature, practicing slash and burn cultivation of fruits on the slopes and drawing forest produce for survival. Nobody has cared for them so far, and neither have they cared for any outsider. Their fear is the proposed mines will finish off their source of livelihood, even the source of their water which springs from the Niyamgiri.
A somewhat similar situation prevails in Keonjhar where most iron mining projects including MittalArcelors are located. The people are not impressed merely by offers of jobs in the open cast mines. Hence their opposition, further aggravated by reports of the enormous profits projected by the companies. In this incendiary situation, much more adjustment is needed. Mining is essential for any industrial society. But can’t the local tribals benefit from the natural wealth? Why give them only a minimum wage job, that too in hazardous conditions? These are questions that the investors need to think about.
Centre may bow to Jammu protesters
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: The Centre is veering around to meeting Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti’s demand for temporary diversion of land to build facilities for pilgrims in what could help it calm down passions in Jammu but carries the risk of triggering a fresh flare-up in the Valley.
Government sources said a political decision to allow the diversion of land for pilgrims has been taken, with the nitty-gritty to be worked out by J&K governor N N Vohra after consultations with all shades of opinion in the Valley. Care would also be taken to ensure that the “temporary” nature of the diversion of land is stressed unambiguously.
While talks with the Sangharsh Samiti are set to resume, an all-party meeting is also likely to be convened in an attempt to buffer the decision against a backlash in the Valley where separatists have gleefully seized upon the land controversy to stage a comeback just when they appeared to have been marginalized.
Mehbooba Mufti of PDP, whose somersault on the issue led to the revocation of the Ghulam Nabi Azad government’s decision to build temporary shelters for Amarnath pilgrims, provoking tension in the Valley, has already announced her intention to oppose any move to restore the order. Amarnath row may give BJP’s ‘minority’ theme a boost
New Delhi: The Centre seems all set to concede to the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti’s demand for temporary diversion of land to build facilities for pilgrims.
A significant pointer to the government’s leaning towards allowing facilities for pilgrims has already come through Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s letter to BJP leader L K Advani.
According to sources, Singh told the Leader of Opposition that the government intended to abide by the legislation meant to enable the J&K government to provide amenities to Amarnath pilgrims as well as the high court order directing them to do the same.
The thinking signals a shift from the earlier stance when the Centre appeared to be wary of annoying the sentiments in the Valley opposing land use change, and may have been prompted by the calculation to defang BJP’s plan to use the Amarnath issue in coming elections.
The resistance to facilities for Amarnath pilgrims in defiance of legislation as well as the HC order is a nice fit for BJP’s “appeasement of minorities” theme. In fact, ruling coalition circles feel that the issue may provide fresh potency to the plank which appeared to have lost the appeal it had in the late ’80s and ’90s.
SMOKE & FURY: A cop fires teargas shells at protesters in Jammu on Friday
Netas good for sports: Kalmadi
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Pune: The reaction was on expected lines. Forced on the backfoot by Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra’s bull’s-eye remark that professionals, not politicians, should head sports bodies, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi insisted that sports was better off with politicians and bureaucrats at the helm.
Kalmadi, who has been heading the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for seven years now, had a simple argument: they have an edge over others when it comes to garnering funds from the sports ministry.
India’s lone gold medallist at the Beijing 2008, shooter Bindra, who was the Guest Editor of TOI for Friday’s edition, had said that the biggest problem in sport today was the lack of knowledge among those who run it. ‘‘Indian sport needs CEOs with tangible targets,’’ Bindra had said. In response, Kalmadi told reporters on Friday: ‘‘That’s his opinion.’’
Politicians have a pretty dismal record as sports administrators in India but Kalmadi spotted virtues in the present system, even if that does seem to put him in a minority.
Times Impact: Bihar to buy rifle for Meera
Aday after TOI reported the case of a young Bihar shooter who couldn’t afford to practise because she didn’t have a rifle, the Bihar government on Friday announced that it would buy a gun for Purnia’s 50m rifle shooter Meera Kumari, who has won three gold medals besides a silver and a bronze in the national shooting championships. P 25 Kalmadi comes out to defend his ilk
Pune: Reacting to Abhinav Bindra’s potshot at sports administrators, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi tried to absolve his ilk of allegations. ‘‘Politicians, bureaucrats or top industrialists should head the sports federations as they can better communicate with the sports ministry,’’ he said. ‘‘The secretary should be from the field of sports and the selection committee should comprise all international players.’’
Initially, he was hesitant to say more, but then the 64-year-old Pune MP opened up. ‘‘What Bindra means is that there should be a chief executive officer (CEO) in sports bodies. It’s high time all sports bodies had a CEO to run the federations to ensure efficiency.’’
Bindra, the country’s lone individual gold medallist, had also said that most officials cannot get the respect of sportsmen. And the players don’t speak out due to fear. Kalmadi said, ‘‘I would welcome the players talking to the officials openly. It is tough time for us officials as well.’’
Cricket for bidding, not in Games
Kalmadi personally felt that cricket should not be included in Commonwealth or Olympic Games as he felt ‘‘it could take away attention from the other games.’’
However, when it was pointed out that it was he who had signed the proposal while bidding for 2010 Commonwealth Games to include cricket, Kalmadi made it clear that it was only to win the bid.
‘‘On two earlier occasions we had lost the bid, so somebody suggested us to include it in the bidding proposal. We had to get the Games and to get more votes we had to include cricket in the proposal. But we never followed it up seriously,’’ said Kalmadi.
On financial support
Kalmadi felt that more industrialists should come forward to support Olympic events and also approach the prime minister for tax concessions.
When pointed out that 26% of BCCI’s annual income (not profits) is given to players (as match fees, excluding training, travelling or hotel expenses) Kalmadi plainly said, ‘‘They (the cricket board) are rich people’’. But he said he was not in a position to tell how much the IOA was earning annually.
He touched on the magic figure of Rs 700 crore (the govt grant for training before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi) many a time. ‘‘We are fortunate to get this amount. Being a host nation, we need to win medals and this money will certainly help us in a big way. This is a massive increase in monetary support, considering India’s annual budget of sports is Rs 400 crore.
‘‘This amount will be used for training sportspersons for 310 days of which 100 days would be on training and competition abroad apart from hiring best of foreign coaches,’’ Kalmadi informed.
Without naming Mani Shankar Aiyer, he said: ‘‘During my friend’s time, there was ammunition shortage (for shooters). But now things are sorted out. Ammunition and shuttlecocks are available and will continue to be available for sportspersons.’’
Olympic bid
Kalmadi said India was seriously bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games in Delhi. There were initial reports that Pune could be one of the cities. But scoffing at the reports, Kalmadi said that Delhi stood a better chance, being the capital.
‘‘They are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010. The Olympic bidding process starts in 2011 and the final vote in 2013. We will take the final decision on bidding after the Commonwealth Games in 2010.’’
Kalmadi also said that International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge will be visiting Pune on October 16, during the Commonwealth Youth Games.
‘‘We have planned Rogge’s visit on October 16 with an educational programme which will be held at Ganesh Kala-Krida Manch on the same day.’’
Class VI boy found dead in DPS pool
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: A 13-year-old student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool of DPS Mathura Road on Friday evening. The victim, identified as Mohammad Nadir, had come to the school for evening classes for weak students but did not report for class. Instead, his body was found in the pool before it had opened for the day.
Nadir, a Class VI student, was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed his death.
Nadir’s body was discovered around 5.15pm by the school staff who had come to clean the pool. Nadir, who couldn’t swim, was fully clothed in the water. Pool death: Fight angle being probed
New Delhi: After 13-year-old Mohammad Nadir was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool of DPS Mathura Road on Friday evening, police did not rule out foul play. They said they were investigating whether the victim had had a fight with other students. ‘‘It is very strange that Nadir went to the swimming pool which is some distance away from the main campus where the classes were being held,’’ an officer said.
Nadir’s mother Zaeeda said, ‘‘After attending the morning classes, Nadir came back home. He was again dropped to school around 4.30pm by his father at the school to attend extra classes. Around 5.15pm, we received the call from school authorities who told us that my son had been found unconscious and had been taken to Sahi hospital.’’
‘‘We rushed to the hospital where doctors told us that he is no more. We do not know how he died. I do not suspect anyone but cops should probe the matter. Nadir did not knew how to swim and it is suspected that he might have drowned,’’ she added.
Cops said that they have initiated an inquest into the death and were recording the statements of the security guards and cleaners who first found the body. The swimming instructors who came with other students were also questioned by the police team.
The security guards deployed inside the school told the police that they did not notice Nadir moving towards the pool. There’s a strong posse of private guards deployed in the school. ‘‘It is again strange that none of the guards noticed the boy going towards the pool much before the time it opens. We are questioning them,’’ a police officer said.
Police said that Nadir’s father Mohammad Salim works as a motor mechanic and the family stays in Chand Biwi Camp in Sarai Kale Khan. Nadir is survived by his parents and three sisters who are elder to him.
No DPS Mathura Road official was available for comment. Despite repeated efforts, the principal of the school, M I Hussain, could not be contacted.
The incident comes days after a 15-year-old student of DPS R K Puram died after falling from the fifth floor of the hostel building. The family of the girl had suspected foul play in her death. However, the school authorities said that she allegedly committed suicide due to peer pressure.
toireporter@timesgroup.com
TRAGIC END: Victim’s parents said they do not suspect anyone but want death in school’s pool probed
Delhi Times
JYOTHI PRABHAKAR & VISHWAS GAUTAM Times News Network
Ask 10-year-old Tayyiba Dudhwala if she’ll send you her pictures with David Beckham, and she agrees after a moment’s thought. “Okay, I’ll send you his photograph,” she says. The Indian-origin schoolgirl from the UK got into the enviable position of posing – many times – with the football hottie because she won a competition to take part in the handover ceremony on the last day of the Beijing Olympics.
On the phone from the UK, Tayyiba says she likes playing football. “I play in school,” she says. How’d she like meeting Beckham? “It was really good. I took his autograph.”
“She is football crazy,” says her father Yunus, as he narrates how Tayyiba came to be at the spectacular ceremony. A BBC children’s TV programme, Blue Peter, ran a competition a few months ago, called Postcard to Beijing. Children had to write 100 words to a pretend friend in Beijing, explaining why the Olympics were special, and also about a sport they loved. The prize was that the winner would take part in the ceremony when China handed over to London for the 2012 Olympics.
“Tayyiba decided to enter the competition, so she wrote a postcard and sent it in. About a month later, they called and said she’d been shortlisted,” says Yunus. “This competition was for both, the Olympics and the Paralympics – one child would be taking part in each. And when you wrote your postcard, you were supposed to write which one you wanted to be part of. So Tayyiba decided she wanted to be part of the Olympics handover ceremony. Eighteen children were shortlisted from thousands of entries – nine for the Olympic ceremony, and nine for the Paralympic ceremony.”
In a day-long workshop,the children were then assessed by four judges, and were put through a series of tests, one of which involved surprising the kids.“It was just to see how they’d react, because the handover ceremony was going to be done in front of 90,000 people. In another, they called the children one by one and told them, ‘There’s one minute left before you enter the stadium, and you have to call a friend. What would you say to them?’ They had a minute to think about it and then say it to the camera. I can’t remember exactly, I think Tayyiba said something like, ‘There’s one minute left to go into the stadium,and I’m really excited.I know you’ll be jealous,but I’m thinking about you,’” recounts Yunus.
The next day, he says, he got a call saying she’d been chosen, and he was shocked to hear the news, because “the only reason she applied was to increase her confidence. It’s the first competition she’s ever entered,” says Yunus. He couldn’t tell anyone at first, because the Blue Peter presenter was to come to their house the next day to surprise Tayyiba. And when he did tell her as she walked in from school, “she was quite shocked. That’s when she found out we’re going to go to China,” he says.
Yunus says they didn’t know which celebs were going to be there – including Beckham. In her postcard, Tayyiba had written about football, so “she was over the moon, obviously, when she found out that Beckham was going to be there. And on the day before the ceremony, there was a photoshoot with Becks and Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page.”
Tayyiba, her father says, is not very outgoing, and “that’s one of the reasons why I was very surprised they chose her. I knew there were going to be lots of cameras, and she’s not very keen on being involved. She’s not a drama queen,” says Yunus, adding, “But I think that was right for them, because they wanted someone who was quiet and got on with the job and didn’t fall under pressure, and she did very well.”
She’s good at school, likes English and Maths, and loves to read. “I read Harry Potter. I’ve read them all twice, and I’ve watched the films as well. I like both, but I like the films better, because there’s lots of action and I like the heroes,” says Tayyiba. She even finished reading three of the books on her trip to China. She came to India once, “when I was small – I was four,” but says she’ll come again “when my brother’s big.” She doesn’t watch too many films, though, and so doesn’t know any Bollywood actors. And what else does she like to do? “I like sitting at the computer, I play lots of games, mostly quizzes,” she says.
The interaction with Tayyiba is courtesy Visit Britain, the national tourism office of Britain.
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
Delhi Times
Great wall & a little wonder
She’s the envy of football fans worldwide, and she’s only 10. Indian-origin, UK-born Tayyiba Dudhwala says she took Beckham’s autograph when she appeared with him in the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics last week
JYOTHI PRABHAKAR & VISHWAS GAUTAM Times News Network
Ask 10-year-old Tayyiba Dudhwala if she’ll send you her pictures with David Beckham, and she agrees after a moment’s thought. “Okay, I’ll send you his photograph,” she says. The Indian-origin schoolgirl from the UK got into the enviable position of posing – many times – with the football hottie because she won a competition to take part in the handover ceremony on the last day of the Beijing Olympics.
On the phone from the UK, Tayyiba says she likes playing football. “I play in school,” she says. How’d she like meeting Beckham? “It was really good. I took his autograph.”
“She is football crazy,” says her father Yunus, as he narrates how Tayyiba came to be at the spectacular ceremony. A BBC children’s TV programme, Blue Peter, ran a competition a few months ago, called Postcard to Beijing. Children had to write 100 words to a pretend friend in Beijing, explaining why the Olympics were special, and also about a sport they loved. The prize was that the winner would take part in the ceremony when China handed over to London for the 2012 Olympics.
“Tayyiba decided to enter the competition, so she wrote a postcard and sent it in. About a month later, they called and said she’d been shortlisted,” says Yunus. “This competition was for both, the Olympics and the Paralympics – one child would be taking part in each. And when you wrote your postcard, you were supposed to write which one you wanted to be part of. So Tayyiba decided she wanted to be part of the Olympics handover ceremony. Eighteen children were shortlisted from thousands of entries – nine for the Olympic ceremony, and nine for the Paralympic ceremony.”
In a day-long workshop,the children were then assessed by four judges, and were put through a series of tests, one of which involved surprising the kids.“It was just to see how they’d react, because the handover ceremony was going to be done in front of 90,000 people. In another, they called the children one by one and told them, ‘There’s one minute left before you enter the stadium, and you have to call a friend. What would you say to them?’ They had a minute to think about it and then say it to the camera. I can’t remember exactly, I think Tayyiba said something like, ‘There’s one minute left to go into the stadium,and I’m really excited.I know you’ll be jealous,but I’m thinking about you,’” recounts Yunus.
The next day, he says, he got a call saying she’d been chosen, and he was shocked to hear the news, because “the only reason she applied was to increase her confidence. It’s the first competition she’s ever entered,” says Yunus. He couldn’t tell anyone at first, because the Blue Peter presenter was to come to their house the next day to surprise Tayyiba. And when he did tell her as she walked in from school, “she was quite shocked. That’s when she found out we’re going to go to China,” he says.
Yunus says they didn’t know which celebs were going to be there – including Beckham. In her postcard, Tayyiba had written about football, so “she was over the moon, obviously, when she found out that Beckham was going to be there. And on the day before the ceremony, there was a photoshoot with Becks and Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page.”
Tayyiba, her father says, is not very outgoing, and “that’s one of the reasons why I was very surprised they chose her. I knew there were going to be lots of cameras, and she’s not very keen on being involved. She’s not a drama queen,” says Yunus, adding, “But I think that was right for them, because they wanted someone who was quiet and got on with the job and didn’t fall under pressure, and she did very well.”
She’s good at school, likes English and Maths, and loves to read. “I read Harry Potter. I’ve read them all twice, and I’ve watched the films as well. I like both, but I like the films better, because there’s lots of action and I like the heroes,” says Tayyiba. She even finished reading three of the books on her trip to China. She came to India once, “when I was small – I was four,” but says she’ll come again “when my brother’s big.” She doesn’t watch too many films, though, and so doesn’t know any Bollywood actors. And what else does she like to do? “I like sitting at the computer, I play lots of games, mostly quizzes,” she says.
The interaction with Tayyiba is courtesy Visit Britain, the national tourism office of Britain.
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
Becks & Tayyiba at the Beijing Olympics’ closing ceremony
Yunus & Tayyiba in Beijing and (far left) Tayyiba & Beckham
Times News Network
After films on undercover cops, now it’s the turn of a furtive informer to visit Bollywood, given that Hindi film Mukhbiir is slated to be the tale of an undercover informer and it is also touted be a hard-hitting film from the director of December 13. Probably, director Manishankar intends to make a comeback with this unique plot after duds like Rudraksh. To make it more watchable, he has roped in talented actors like Om Puri, Suneil Shetty and Rahul Dev to play key roles, besides Sammir Dattani for the lead. “It’s an excellent role with varied shades,” says Sammir, who, if you’ll remember, was the young romantic hero from Uff Kya Jadoo… The actor has been quite successful in Kannada films. “We did extensive research with informers to dish out authentic fare and we also presented one informer in a mask to the media,” disclosed debutant producer Sudheesh, who claims to have received good response from the top cops for deftly capturing the relationship between cops and informers. The producer claims to have chosen this script out of 40-odd scripts for his maiden Hindi production. He also praised the actors and the director for making an absorbing film. What’s more, he went ahead to declare a unique money-back offer to viewers, definitely a first in India, to show his confidence in the film. “We will refund money to 5000 viewers, across India, who feel dissatisfied,” reveals the rookie. Everything seems to be a deal these days.
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
The undercover story
As the makers of Mukhbiir promise a refund in case you don’t like the film, the audience has expectations aplenty from the cast and producer. We check out the unique offer
Times News Network
After films on undercover cops, now it’s the turn of a furtive informer to visit Bollywood, given that Hindi film Mukhbiir is slated to be the tale of an undercover informer and it is also touted be a hard-hitting film from the director of December 13. Probably, director Manishankar intends to make a comeback with this unique plot after duds like Rudraksh. To make it more watchable, he has roped in talented actors like Om Puri, Suneil Shetty and Rahul Dev to play key roles, besides Sammir Dattani for the lead. “It’s an excellent role with varied shades,” says Sammir, who, if you’ll remember, was the young romantic hero from Uff Kya Jadoo… The actor has been quite successful in Kannada films. “We did extensive research with informers to dish out authentic fare and we also presented one informer in a mask to the media,” disclosed debutant producer Sudheesh, who claims to have received good response from the top cops for deftly capturing the relationship between cops and informers. The producer claims to have chosen this script out of 40-odd scripts for his maiden Hindi production. He also praised the actors and the director for making an absorbing film. What’s more, he went ahead to declare a unique money-back offer to viewers, definitely a first in India, to show his confidence in the film. “We will refund money to 5000 viewers, across India, who feel dissatisfied,” reveals the rookie. Everything seems to be a deal these days.
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
UNIQUE INDEED! Sammir Dattani and Raima Sen in a still from Mukhbiir, and (inset) Sudheesh
Item girl-turned-actress Deepal Shaw who had a very unusual debut with Kalyug is gearing up for a tryst with yet another off-beat film called A Wednesday. In the movie, she plays a journalist whom a terrorist uses as a pawn. Says Deepal, “My interaction with journalists was rather limited. I knew only a few of them. And, because in this film, I am playing a TV reporter who’s supposed to be covering everything under the sun, I called up these journalist friends of mine who put me in touch with their colleagues, so that I could speak to them and understand how they cover news and get stories. I even travelled with them and now appreciate how they have to be on their guard as they sometimes have to hang around for hours in their attempts to get scoops. I think I’ve managed to get that aspect incorporated in my character and hope it comes through on the screen.” Must say this is as real as one can get.
Contributed by Gautam Buragohain and Urvashi Ashar
Deepal’s reporter’s dairy!
Item girl-turned-actress Deepal Shaw who had a very unusual debut with Kalyug is gearing up for a tryst with yet another off-beat film called A Wednesday. In the movie, she plays a journalist whom a terrorist uses as a pawn. Says Deepal, “My interaction with journalists was rather limited. I knew only a few of them. And, because in this film, I am playing a TV reporter who’s supposed to be covering everything under the sun, I called up these journalist friends of mine who put me in touch with their colleagues, so that I could speak to them and understand how they cover news and get stories. I even travelled with them and now appreciate how they have to be on their guard as they sometimes have to hang around for hours in their attempts to get scoops. I think I’ve managed to get that aspect incorporated in my character and hope it comes through on the screen.” Must say this is as real as one can get.
Contributed by Gautam Buragohain and Urvashi Ashar
Deepal Shaw
Urvashi Ashar
If you had a company, what would you call it?
I don’t know. I would keep the name short and simple, just like me...
In Balaji Motion Pictures’ C Kkompany, you and Tusshar extort money. What are your views on the extortion threats in Bollywood?
It’s sad! No extortion is good. In C Kkompany, we extort money, but we do good for the community. It’s shameless to be involved in something that will adversely affect several people, communities or nations.
The craziest thing you’ve done to get some dough...
When we were younger, we’d have to work around our mother to extract money from our father. Say, if I wanted a sweet, I’d pamper my mother, tell her how beautiful she is and get the few paisas.
Extortions make rich guys the ‘poor rich guys’. Being rich can be bad?
I’m sure it’s good to be rich. People who are rich have worked hard for their money. And people who are not so rich can be inspired by sheer hard work.
If money could buy everything, would you opt to buy a little height for yourself?
Never! Height isn’t as important as mental strength. For all those short people who suffer from a height complex, let me tell you, even Sachin Tendulkar has hit McGrath for sixes! It’s the mental strength that makes all the difference.
So, what would a very rich Rajpal Yadav do with loads of money?
Buy a helicopter and drop a bundle of notes in every Indian household ensuring that everyone has roti, kapda aur makaan. It’s dearth of basic necessities that turn people into criminals.
‘Even Sachin has hit McGrath for sixes!’
…says Rajpal Yadav who falls short of being tall but has no regrets
Urvashi Ashar
If you had a company, what would you call it?
I don’t know. I would keep the name short and simple, just like me...
In Balaji Motion Pictures’ C Kkompany, you and Tusshar extort money. What are your views on the extortion threats in Bollywood?
It’s sad! No extortion is good. In C Kkompany, we extort money, but we do good for the community. It’s shameless to be involved in something that will adversely affect several people, communities or nations.
The craziest thing you’ve done to get some dough...
When we were younger, we’d have to work around our mother to extract money from our father. Say, if I wanted a sweet, I’d pamper my mother, tell her how beautiful she is and get the few paisas.
Extortions make rich guys the ‘poor rich guys’. Being rich can be bad?
I’m sure it’s good to be rich. People who are rich have worked hard for their money. And people who are not so rich can be inspired by sheer hard work.
If money could buy everything, would you opt to buy a little height for yourself?
Never! Height isn’t as important as mental strength. For all those short people who suffer from a height complex, let me tell you, even Sachin Tendulkar has hit McGrath for sixes! It’s the mental strength that makes all the difference.
So, what would a very rich Rajpal Yadav do with loads of money?
Buy a helicopter and drop a bundle of notes in every Indian household ensuring that everyone has roti, kapda aur makaan. It’s dearth of basic necessities that turn people into criminals.
CANDID TALK: Rajpal Yadav
American actor Brad Pitt was stunned when he was handed over the Best Actor trophy he had won last year for his film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford at the 65th Venice International Film Festival.
The mistress of ceremonies handed Pitt, who was in Venice for the premiere of his new film Burn After Reading, the engraved gold cup. “I guess you forgot something here years ago,” a magazine quoted her as saying as she held the cup. “Brad, this is yours. Congratulations for your twins,” she told Pitt as she handed him the trophy.
A surprised Pitt took the trophy, which had been awarded, to him at the 2007 film awards. “You can run but you can’t hide,” Pitt said laughing. “It was an honour to receive this last year and it's an honour to receive it this year. Thank you very much,” he added. ANI
Brad Pitt has a sense of humour
American actor Brad Pitt was stunned when he was handed over the Best Actor trophy he had won last year for his film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford at the 65th Venice International Film Festival.
The mistress of ceremonies handed Pitt, who was in Venice for the premiere of his new film Burn After Reading, the engraved gold cup. “I guess you forgot something here years ago,” a magazine quoted her as saying as she held the cup. “Brad, this is yours. Congratulations for your twins,” she told Pitt as she handed him the trophy.
A surprised Pitt took the trophy, which had been awarded, to him at the 2007 film awards. “You can run but you can’t hide,” Pitt said laughing. “It was an honour to receive this last year and it's an honour to receive it this year. Thank you very much,” he added. ANI
Brad Pitt
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