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Investigations being made into finding out the culprits who sabotaged Anil Ambani’s Bell 412 helicopter have been transferred to Mumbai crime branch. This was done so as one of the senior pilots of the Anil Ambani’s company pilot alleged that stones were placed in the fuel tank of the chopper belonging to the ADA group.

Four employees of Air Works, the company which does the repair and maintenance of the aircraft have been interrogated. A special team of investigators has been formed after Capt. R.N. Joshi, a senior pilot with Reliance Transport and Travels Pvt. Ltd alleged that Anil Ambani’s helicopter had been “sabotaged by a business rival with an intention to kill him.” Air Works claimed sabotage was done on account of “mischief committed with an intention to cause death or damage”.

Capt Joshi complaining to the chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan and Mumbai police commissioner Hasan Gafoor in letter said that gravel and pebbles were discovered inside the filter neck after the opening of the filter cap by a technician. It was by sheer chance that it was noticed. He said that the pebbles could have made their entry into the gear box and caused mid-air loss of power.

Anil Ambani often flies from Mumbai t o Navi. As a successful businessman he is the envy of many. He recently separated from his brother Mukesh Ambani from business dealings as differences emerged between the two brothers. Their father Dirubhai Ambani had left behind a thriving business. He is married to ex-actor Tina Ambani alias Munim.

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The first so called “spy” satellite has been launched this week in India, which will be able to predict weather conditions and also send object pictures such as those of cars even when it is dark.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-12 took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, carrying along with it the spysat as well as micro-satellite which was the first to be built by university researchers. Both the satellites were sent into orbit, about 550km above the earth “at an inclination of 41 degrees,19 minutes after lift-off.”

This radar imaging satellite (RISAT)-2 has boosted up the defense capabilities tremendously. Images of the earth can be taken at all hours of the day, even at night, as well as under rainy conditions and cloudy weather climate. It is the first and foremost Indian satellite that has “a microwave imaging configuration on board.” Madhavan Nair commenting on the satellite to the media said, ” This is the first time we are working in the microwave band. With this, the satellite can see through clouds and identify objects on the ground very precisely.”

Nair, of course, was not so comfortable with the “spy” tag, although scientists claim that it was built on the specifications that were similar to the Israeli spy “Tecsar” satellite, which Isro had launched in January 2008.

Since the Mumbai terrorist attack, the 300-weighing kg RISAT was placed on “fast track development”. Israel provided key equipment, including the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The SAR happens to be satellite’s brain and will enable the imaging of the earth. The satellite is well-equipped with many of the antennas and will be able to receive signals and then process it into pictures of hi-resolution.

Commenting further on the satellite, Nair said,” there is nothing like a spy satellite on our agenda. This is just another series in our earth application satellites. RISAT-2 is a very great asset to the country.” Isro, incidentally, is developing its own indigenous radar imaging satellite, the RISAT-1 for earth observation in order to predict floods, landslides and cyclones. The other payload, the Anusat, under development for the last six years, will help in data-sharing between colleges and universities, make online transfer of question papers between colleges feasible.”

The satellite, having a minimum lifetime span of two years and a maximum period of three will be used for intra-university communication, says Mannar Jawahar, vice-chancellor of Anna University.

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Pierre Gagnaire has created the first synthetic gourmet dish in the world. The dish happens to be a starter consisting of jelly balls in lemon and apple flavors that are very creamy from the inside and crisp outside. It combines ascorbic acid, citric acid, glucose and some grams of maltitol a sugar substitute.

Pierre has worked with Hervi this, which is founder of molecular gastronomy. In fact, he brought the molecular gastronomy into the recipe world of the kitchen.

Speaking to the “Times” newspaper in Britain, he said,” It is good. It’s going to be smooth, crusty and frosty. We are working for future generations,” The famous chef displayed the culinary dish at a restaurant in Hong Kong.

The meal will also consist of lobster fricassee which will be served with polyphenol sauce that is made up of tartaric acid, ployphenols and glucose. Pierre adds, ” If you use pure compounds you open up billions and billions of new possibilities. It’s like a painter using primary colors or a musician composing note by note.”

Pierre feels that compound cooking tends to liven up the taste buds of the people. It will help in bringing an end to food shortage as well as rural poverty as it would enable farmers to enhance profitability by “fractionating their vegetables.”

He further adds sugar is not natural and chips are also the same. One will be disgusted if one ate a wild carrot.

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Visually impaired can now hope for eyesight. Major breakthrough has been made by scientists that would help cure blindness the discovery of stem cell therapy.

A British team of scientists has developed a treatment mode, which involves the replacement of the layer of degenerated cells with new ones which have been created from the embryonic stem cells in order to cure muscular degeneration which is a frequent cause for people going blind.

The scientists claim that the procedure which lasts for an hour will be made available in 6 to about 7 years time, according to Sunday Times reports.

The embryonic stem cells can be developed into all kids of body tissue. This new therapy will enable the embryonic stem cells to be transformed into replicas of missing cells. These are then placed onto an artificial membrane, which is inserted at the back of the retina.

Laboratory trials carried out by the team indicate that the stem cells can indeed prevent blindness among rodents which have similar disease to AMD. They also conducted successful tests with regard to elements of technology in pigs.

Commenting on the therapy, Prof. Pete Coffey, who is the lead scientist of the team from University College, London said the treatment would take” less than an hour, so it really could be considered as an outpatient procedure. We are trying to get it out as a common therapy.”

Peng Khaw, team member says, “This shows that stem cell therapy is coming of age. It offers great hope for many sufferers around the world who cannot be treated with conventional treatment.

The efforts of the team will be financed by the Pfizer, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

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Tech Mahindra, the firm that took over Satyam will be renaming the latter in order to woo clients again. Senior officials at Tech Mahindra felt it was necessary to restore clients’ confidence in Satyam again and this was possible only if it was renamed.

Satyam fell out after a scam that dipped its credibility as the former owner of Satyam, Mr. Ramalinga Raju had duped several shareholders. It was a major scandal and had not only national impact but also international ramifications. Now, Ramalinga Raju is faced with serious charges of corruption and is under detention.

Recently, bidding was held for the purchase of Satyam and Tech Mahindra emerged the winner. Tech Mahindra has been able to acquire 31% stake in Satyam Computers and felt its present name was akin to untruth.

The new board to be appointed by Tech Mahindra will rename Satyam and this will be done after a Company Law Board meeting is held to ratify the takeover of Satyam by Tech Mahindra.

An official of Tech Mahindra commenting on the renaming said, “I would prefer a change in name as a balancing act to draw the clients back and to maintain credibility as a new firm.”

The financial analysts of Tech Mahindra are very much concerned about the legal cases pending against Satyam, which includes class action suits related to the forgery in Satyam.

As of now, Satyam has about 48,000 employees on its rolls. One has to wait and see if there are any changes in the employment structure in Satyam.

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People perform certain events or make certain purchases or start new ventures on an auspicious occasion. Despite modernization, the auspicious time to do a particular thing is still embedded in their way of life. Akshaya Tritiya, which happens to be the third day of the brighter half of Vaisakh(April-May) is considered to be a very sacred day of the year.

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means that which does not diminish. Naturally, this is the day when one can venture onto something new or purchase new valuable items as it means long lasting and success in the coming future. People all over India celebrate this day by making valuable purchases, or staring new ventures or go on long journeys. Similar to Diwali, and Dusshera, on Akshaya Tritya people buy gold, sliver and other expensive assets. Jewellers keep their shops open till about twilight for the convenience of their customers.

Akshaya Tritiya is also popularly known as “Akha Teej”.

History of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is traditionally considered to be the birthday of Parashurama, who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Parashurama, according to the Puranas had reclaimed land from sea along the western coast of India. Even in present times, Goa and Konkan are known as Parashurama Kshetra. He settled 96 exclusively selected families and called them Shanavkuli Brahmans, who were responsible for the cultural heritage in this part of India.

Legend of Akshaya Tritiya
Legend has it that on this auspicious day, Lord Ganesha started writing the great Epic Mahabharata. Mother Ganges or Ganga Devi also descended upon the Earth on this day.

Celebration of Akshaya Tritiya
In India gold is a very auspicious metal and extremely valuable and is a symbol of wealth as well as prosperity. On Akshaya Tritiya people buy gold as it is considered to be very be a very auspicious occasion to do so. Indians celebrate weddings and begin long journeys on this day. New business ventures are also begun on this day.

Ritual of Akshaya Tritiya
Special pujas are performed on this day. People bathe in the holy river waters perform charitable acts. Barley is offered in sacred fire. Lord Ganesha and Devi Laksmi are worshiped on this occasion.

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious occasion to start afresh. It is good omen to venture onto something new as it will bring long lasting fortune.

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When is Akshaya Tritya 2009? 2009 Akshay Tritya is on 27th of April.

Akshaya Tritya is celebrated widely in India. Akshaya in Sanskrit means that which never ends or rather lasts forever. People begin new ventures, conduct weddings and buy valuables on this day as they hope it will last for ever. It is indeed a very auspicious occasion to purchase gold, silver as well as other valuables assets as they will bring lasting good fortune.

Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on an auspicious day of the 3rd day of the brighter half of the lunar month (Vaishakha) month of the Hindu calendar.

What makes Akshaya Tritya so Auspicious?
The Sun and Moon are in an exalted position in Aries and Taurus, which makes this day very auspicious. Based on Hindu mythology, Treta Yuga had begun on this day and the holy river Ganges had descended from the heaven onto the earth. Lord Ganesha along with renowned sage Vyasa initiated the writing of Mahabharata.

Legends of Akshaya Tritiya
Sudema also known as Kuchela visited Lord Krishna in Dwarka with handful of rice (Aval or poha). Another legend says that the Pandavas received Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna on this particular day.

How Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated?
The festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it falls on the birthday of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parashurama. The Maha Vishnu Pooja performed on Akshya Tritiya gets rid of sins and helps one attain salvation. The puja can be peformed with some tulsi leaves, flowers as well as rice grains. Lakshmi puja is also performed on this day

Food and clothes are offered to the poor on this day. Alms are given and donations are generously made. In some parts of India, sandals as well as umbrellas are also donated.

People invest in gold, diamonds. Silver and other precious metals as well as real estate Jewelry shops are open till up to twilight for customers to purchase.

So make a fresh beginning on Akshaya Tritiya and let all your aspirations and goals materialize. Akshaya Tritiya is the day that one needs to venture onto something new and look forward to bright and prosperous future.

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An Indian origin banker at the Standard Chartered was paid pounds 16 million making him to be the best paid bank employee in any of the British bank.

Mr. Karam Butalia, the bank’s former global head of private equity which is based in Singapore received the payment on leaving the bank. He received more than four times than what Standard Chartered chief executive, Mr. Peters Sands, who was paid pounds 4.1 million last year. Mr. Peter Sands had also earned more than any other of the bank bosses in 2008.

The huge amount was handed over to Mr. Butalia as his contract he had signed with the Standard Chartered included a “profit- sharing agreement.” He had worked with the bank for 6 years and holds an MBA from Hull University. The amount covered all the money that was accrued to him in “a string of lucrative private-equity deals” over the years and for his salary for the year 2008.

Mr. Butalia was one of the highly paid bankers in the world last year according to reports appearing in Sunday Telegraph. He was ahead of other bankers such as Mr. Tom Cole of HSBC in New York who was earning about 13.7 million pound.

Mr. Butalia bought stakes in the largest construction company in China, in an Indian engineering firm, in the largest pen manufacturer in China and in a South Korean life assurer. He also happened to engineer a series of joint venture deals with Temasek, a government backed investment fund in Singapore.

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Tech Mahindra Ltd outbidding other competitors including L&T acquires Satyam Computer Services, which is presently facing charges of having committed the biggest corporate fraud

Tech Mahindra will be able to acquire control over the business serving Cisco Systems Inc. This would strengthen its position to compete with other major rivals such as Tata Consultancy and Infosys Technologies Ltd. The sale, after approval by the Indian Government would restore confidence of the investors in Satyam.

Other major engineering companies such as L&T, and private equity firm Ross & Co. as well as Cognizant Technology Solutions were major players in the race to acquire a stake in the beleaguered Satyam company. The winner was selected by the Satyam board, which has been appointed by the Government of India.

IBM was not a serious contender The takeover meeting was held at Mumbai. L&T was the most likely favorite, according to independent sources. L&T owns about 12.04 % stake in Satyam and has appointed Nomura and Citi Group as the investment bankers for a deal with Satyam.

Tech group, which is partly owned by BT Group Plc climbed by about 13% to 362 rupees by post lunch.

Tech Mahindra is controlled by the largest utility vehicle make in India, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., which had about 23,000 employees by the end of March 2008, less than half of Satyam’s workforce, which were around 50,000.

Tech Mahindra was advised by Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. UBS AG. Satyam, of course, appointed Goldman Sachs Group Inc.and Avendus Capital Pvt. Ltd. as the advisers for the sale.

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India-born rich tycoon in the world is now also the richest owner of soccer club in the world. He has been named by the Forbes magazine and makes it to the top of the 10 richest owners of professionally run soccer clubs. As Forbes quotes,”Lakshmi Mittal, operator of the world’s largest steel company, is the richest- despite his team not being worth all that much. Mittal is stakeholder in Queen’s Park Rangers, a team that doesn’t even play in England.”

Forbes annual ranking of the world’s richest people, Mittal is in the eight positions. He is worth a net amount of $19.3 billion. He has come down from his fourth position a year back. His net worth had taken plunge by a mammoth amount of 60%.

Lakshmi Mittal was born in Sadulpur in Rajasthan, India and now resides in Kesington, London. He happens to be the CEO of ArcelorMittal (the founder of Mittal before its merger with Arcelor) and is also non-executive director of Goldman Sachs, ICICI bank and EADS. In 2009, Mittal was the 8th richest person in the world, having a personal wealth of US$19.3 billion.

In 2007 Mittal had made a purchase of 20% shareholding in the Queens Parks Rangers football club. Mittal has been hoping to join the ranks of wealthy individuals investing in English football

Incidentally, how extravagant Mittal can be can well be visualized as the house that he presently lives in in Kensington is made from the same quarry of marble stone that had supplied for the construction of the Taj Mahal.

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