BJP divided over taking TRS support

The State Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be divided over joining hands with the Telangna Rashtra Samithi in the coming elections.

While a section of the BJP leaders feel that since the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh election results have revived the hopes of NDA coming back to power at the Centre, it would be a better option to have a tie-up with the TRS in the next elections, so that it could at least win a few seats in Telangana and strengthen the NDA with the TRS support.

However, some other BJP leaders feel a tie-up with the TRS would spoil the image of the party. The way TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao was pampering the Muslims by praising Nizam and hobnobbing with the Muslim leaders would prove counter-productive for the BJP, if they had a tie-up. Moreover, it was doubtful, whether the people had still faith in the leadership of KCR. On the other hand, it would be better to have an understanding with other Telangana outfits like Talli Telangana, they suggest. The party would have better prospects, if it contested alone, by including the Telangana agenda in its manifesto and promising the people that it would grant Telangana State within three months, if the NDA comes to power at the Centre, they say.

Jagan: Sakshi is coming up against biased media

The media market in Andhra Pradesh is heating up with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, 35, an entrepreneur with extensive interests in mining, power generation, construction, cement, all set for a major newspaper launch as early as February.

Y. S. Jagan Mohan ReddyReddy, who is the son of Andhra Pradesh chief ministerY.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, will be launching a Telugu daily, ‘Sakshi’ (which means witness), followed by a 24x7 television news channel, which, according to some media reports, will be branded Indira TV.

Sakshi will enter a crowded field of eight Telugu daily newspapers, including market leader Eenadu, as well as Andhra Jyothy, Vaartha, Andhra Prabha, Andhra Bhoomi, Vishalandhra, Prajasakthi and Surya.

In a rare chat, Reddy talked about why there is the need for a ninth Telugu newspaper and perceptions that Sakshi will be a vehicle for the ruling Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh. Edited excerpts:

What is the need for one more Telugu daily?
Most of the Telugu media, especially the newspapers, have become completely biased and one-sided and I think the readers are deprived of a credible and objective newspaper. There is a large vacuum, which we plan to fill with wholesome reporting. Editorial content is going to be reader-centric and original.

As a business proposition, media appears promising with high potential and scope for attractive returns.

Given the background of the promoters, is this going to be a pro-Congress daily?
Sakshi is coming up against biased media. We cannot afford to be one-sided.

We see a reader and not a Congress or other party reader. We firmly believe in the saying that ‘facts are sacred and comment is free.’

But, papers such as Eenadu and Andhra Jyothy are already well entrenched.

We have aggressive strategies to take on the existing, well-established newspapers. Obviously, I cannot reveal the exact strategies. But, broadly we will take on competition by offering the reader a completely different newspaper in terms of both print quality and clarity of news.

When is the launch date?
We are planning to launch the newspaper close to February-end.

How much investment is going into this venture?
I cannot give you an exact figure at this point of time as we expect investments to increase until the date of launch.

How will Sakshi be different?
Sakshi is going to be the first Telugu daily with all the pages in multi-colour, and the first Telugu daily to be designed by a well-known international designer. (US-based Mario Garcia, who also designed Mint).

I can only say that the Telugu reader is going to have a refreshing and pleasant experience.

How many editions will the newspaper have?
We will come out from 19 centres within Andra Pradesh and four editions from metros, such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. We are launching all editions at one go.

What would be the cover price?
Please wait and see.

YSR tells the world that PJR is his friend

Everyone in Hyderabad or for that matter even in New Delhi knows that Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy and former Congress Legislature Party leader P Janardhan Reddy are not at good terms. They had been at virtual war for quite some time. But when PJR died on Friday, Rajasekhar Reddy wanted to send a strong message to the people and PJR's strong following that he (YSR) was a good friend of the deceased leader.

But simple condolence message will not work. So Rajasekhar Reddy, first, announced that PJR would get official funeral. Later, he came up with the announcement that there will be a general holiday in Greater Hyderabad municipal limits on Saturday when the funeral will take place.

Rajasekhar Reddy came out with these two measures to ensure that the large fan following of PJR do not become angry. This is exactly what had happened. When Energy Minister Muhammad Ali Shabber went to the hospital, he was received by a hostile crowd. They shouted slogans against Shabber for the simple reason that he is the incharge minister of Hyderabad district.

But when Rajasekhar Reddy went to the hospital, there was no slogan shouting. Everyone welcomed the Chief Minister. PJR and Shabber had been at good terms. The problem was between Rajasekhar Reddy and PJR. But timely announcement by Rajasekhar Reddy had calmed down the anger of PJR's group.

Srija, Sirish create nuisance at PJR's house

The sudden death of Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy due to heart attack has sent shockwaves among the Congress workers in Hyderabad and thousands of his supporters thronged his residence to pay their last respects to the department leader.

It is nothing but natural that there would be stampede when VIPs come to such places, as the police would have to take extra precautions in providing them security. But some people behave as if they are more than the VIPs. Like Srija and Sirish Bharadwaj (daughter and son-in-law of Megastar Chiranjeevi).

It is a known fact that Sirish Bharadwaj is a distant relative of PJR, and he has every right to visit the latter's residence at this hour of grief. But he should behave like any other relative, who came there. But Sirish tried to pose himself as a VVIP, like a Chief Miniter and tried to barge into PJR house. He thought the police would provide him and Srija necessary security, just because they are related to Chiranjeevi, and lead them into PJR's residence, but the police did their duty and tried to push them away. Sirish picked up an argument with the police, stating that he was a close friend of Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, son of PJR and that he should be allowed. After much hungama, however, the police had let them in. Nobody paid them any attention and they had to leave the place quietly, after paying homage to PJR.

MSR decides to lead fresh T-struggle in Cong

Controversial Karimnagar MLA and APSRTC chairman M Satyanarayana Rao has decided to lead a fresh Telangana movement within the Congress to bring pressure on the Congress high command to grant separate Statehood to the region.

MSR is understood to have closeted with a few senior Congress leaders including V Purushottam Reddy, Palvai Goverdhan Reddy, K V Kesavulu and P Narasa Reddy at his residence a couple of days ago and decided that the time has come all the veterans build up pressure on the high command, lest they would all fade out after the next elections.

The seniors are learnt to have observed that the so-called Telangana Regional Coordination Committee had lost its relevance, as many of its leaders like Chinna Reddy and Jeevan Reddy had lost interest in the Telangana and had become stooges of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Interestingy, the task of prevailing upon the Centre is said to have been entrusted to former PCC president and Rajya Sabha member K Kesava Rao. The future course of action is expected to be taken in a few days, sources say.

PJR's Funeral Tomorrow At Amberpet

PJR's sudden death shook entire Hyderabad and the shops were shut down at Madhapur, Kondapur, Kukatpalli, Khairatabad, Somajiguda, Punjagutta and Ameerpet.
Party flags were pulled down as a sign of tribute for PJR. His final rites will be performed tomorrow at Amberpet Funeral Ground. Heavy traffic jam is observed at various places in the city.
The family members of PJR were collapsed listening to the news. All the TV channels are busy with the incessant news regarding PJR's death and the condition at his home. Thousands of PJR fans have conglomerated at the residence of PJR. PJR was survived with four daughters and 1 son.

Sirish and Srija Visited PJR’s House

Chiranjeevi’s second son in law Sirish Bharadwaj and daughter Srija visited PJR’s house to pay homage for the deceased leader. PJR’s son and Sirish are good friends and also relatives. Number of Congress leaders is seen at his house. The parents of Sirish are also seen at the place. The condition of PJR’s wife is uncontrollable and the doctors are seeing to control her Blood Pressure levels to avoid any peril. PJR was born in 1948 and was grown up as a leader from rags. He started his career as a worker in a factory.

Flash Flash : PJR dies of sudden heart attack

Hyderabad: Rebellious Congress MLA from Khairatabad P Janardhan Reddy died of massive heart attack here on Friday.

He was 59. PJR, as he is fondly called, was participating in the Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee meeting at Jewel Gardens in Secunderabad, when he collapsed with severe chest pain. He was immediately rushed to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences nearby, where he was declared dead.

PJR, who rose to the level of Congress Legislature Party leader from an ordinary industrial worker and trade union leader, was always in the news with his rebellious attitude. He was a staunch critic of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and he, along with Sanathnagar MLA Marri Shashidhar Reddy, questioned the indifferent attitude of Rajasekhar Reddy government towards the Telangana region in general and Hyderabad in particular. Both, together, earned the nickname of ‘Hyderabad Brothers.”

PJR was elected to the State Assembly five times and was a minister in the Anjaiah and Vijayabhaskara Reddy Cabinets. He was defeated in 1999 elections by Telugu Desam candidate K Vijayarama Rao.

Bhutto among 10 women most admired by Americans

New York(IANS) Benazir Bhutto figured among the 10 women most admired by Americans in a survey conducted by USA Today newspaper and Gallup polling agency.

The slain Pakistani leader, who had studied at Harvard, made it to the list for the first time, chosen by two percent of over 1,000 respondents in the annual poll conducted earlier this month.

The list was topped by US Senator Hillary Clinton, who narrowly beat television celebrity Oprah Winfrey. Clinton, who is the front-running Democratic party candidate, was chosen by 18 percent of Americans. Winfrey, who has been campaigning for Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama, was just two percentage points behind the former first lady.

Other women in the top 10 were US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (five percent), actress Angelina Jolie and first lady Laura Bush, both with three percent support and former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who had the same level of support as Bhutto.

US House of Representatives speaker, Nancy Pelosi, African-American author Maya Angelou and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rounded off the list, all garnering one percent of Americans' votes.

The poll asked 1,011 adults in the US to choose women "living today in any part of the world" they admired most.

Buzz: Ramoji Rao's Land Business In Gujarat!

This is the historical point to underline by Telugus. After winning in elections Narendra Modi talked to Ramoji for more than 20 minutes just to thank him for the support given by his News Channel –'ETV-Gujarathi'. Modi was rightly glorified by ETV and that added a lot for his charisma, Modi believed firmly. Ramoji Rao seems to be keeping the CMs of various states in his grip wherever he is present with his ETV. He is not just confining his 'king maker activities' for Andhra Pradesh but spreading to other states as well.

Inside sources say that Ramoji Rao is in the process of buying a few thousands of acres of land in other states as well to spread his empire. Well, he may set up Film City or start his Eenadu News Paper in other languages as well. Ramoji has 'links' with BJP groups and he has got good relations with Venkayya Naidu and others. It is said that Ramoji wishes to have big lands in Gujarat, Karnataka and other states whichever are possible.

Let us see how far Modi will be helpful for Ramoji now.

Behind The Screen: Condolence or chamchagiri?

Whether or not Chiranjeevi enters politics, Kapu leaders appear to be in a hurry.

What should have been a condolence meeting has turned out to be a political platform for sycophants

On Wednesday, some local Kapu Sangham leaders led by film producer Ramesh Naidu, organized a condolence meeting to pay tributes to late Konidela Venkat Rao, father of Megastar Chiranjeevi at Ravindra Bharati. They invited a few film personalities including Kodi Ramakrishna, Srihari, Babu Mohan and Mada Venkateshwara Rao, apart from several community leaders.

Most of the participants, who spoke at the meeting, were more interested in eulogizing Chiranjeevi, rather than paying homage to Venkat Rao. Some of them, like Babu Mohan, went to the extent of saying that Venkat Rao was fortunate to give birth to a great personality like Chiranjeevi, who was “born on the earth only to serve the humanity”. “Venkat Rao garu should have survived for another one-and-a-half years. He would have been very happy to see his son changing the destiny of Andhra Pradesh,” a Kapu leader said. Babu Mohan, too, was all praise for Chiranjeevi and wished that the latter should take the reins of the State at the earliest, which would make his father’s soul in the heaven happy.

One wondered whether the meeting was organized to condole Venkat Rao’s death or do “chamchagiri” to Chiranjeevi.

Ironically, the same gathering remained on the dais and in the audience to pay homage to slain Kapu leader Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga on the occasion of his 8th on his death anniversary.

Babu happy over 'Stop Polavaram' order

The mega dam proposed at Polavaram village across the river Godavari would have spelt doom for the Telugu Desam and the TRS alike. The Telugu Desam was hoping that the Polavaram dam would not materialise. Much to the happiness of the Telugu Desam, the Left and the TRS, the Polavaram dam could not get environment clearance. This means there will be no Polavaram project.

Had Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy succeeded in taking up the Polavaram, the Telugu Desam would have been washed away. Because those in East and West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts would have voted for the Congress en masse. The Polavaram dam had been a dream project for long and Rajasekhar Reddy would have gone down in the history as the great visionary, after Sir Arthur Cotton.

In the Telangana region, the TRS would have too been washed away because the party failed to stop the Congress from going ahead with the project.

The rejection of permission for the dam had come as a blessing both for the Telugu Desam and the TRS. But it will prove a costly affair to the Congress. However, the Congress may scrape through putting the whole blame on the Telugu Desam, the Left and the TRS. The BJP, though it has a nominal presence in the State, also opposed the dam.

Fact Sheet: MSR triggers unrest in Cong

The appointment of former minister and Karimnagar MLA M Satyanarayana Rao as the chairman of AP State Road Transport Corporation has triggered a lot of unrest among the Congress leaders in the State.

For several months, Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy has not been filling up any vacancies in the Corporations and Committees, despite the fact that several aspirants in the party have been bringing pressure on him to provide them posts. Everytime the Congress leaders go to him with a request to appoint them in the corporations, YSR has been turning them down, stating that it would create a lot of disgruntlement among those who don't get the posts.

But the sudden appointment of MSR as the APSRTC chairman, and that too, with a Cabinet rank, has created heartburn among the other Congress leaders. They are now questioning whether YSR would fill up the posts only if the leaders scold him. Now that the government has entered the election year, it is highly unlikely that he would fill up the posts at this stage, Gandhi Bhavan sources say.

Fact Sheet: Gujarat polls upset media!

The Gujarat election results have upset the plans of several new media ventures and made their promoters think twice.

Most of the promoters have scheduled the launch of their ventures in such a way that they would coincide with the mid-term elections to Lok Sabha, so that there would be hectic political activity in the State and they would have spicy political news to cover. Even "Saakshi" daily proposed to be launched by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, was expected to be launched some time next month. So are a couple of Telugu channels.

But, with the Congress receiving a setback in the Gujarat polls, the chances of mid-term elections to Lok Sabha have become bleak. As a result, the new media ventures would have nothing sensational to report and therefore, they are all getting rescheduled. Unless of course, Chiranjeevi really enters politics, which would again kick off a lot of political activity in the State!

Behind The Scene: Chiru entry, a Cong Ploy?

Is hype and hoopla around Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics just a ploy by Congress government in the State? Yes, say, some political observers. They said that the entire fracas that surrounded Kasu Prasada Reddy, an eye specialist, is a storm in tea cup.

Many may not agree with this, but the story goes like this: Prasada Reddy who is equally close to both Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as well as Chiranjeevi wanted to know the pulse of public on the mega star’s entry into politics, and if possible to assess its impact on the ruling Congress fortunes in coming polls.

For this, he has selected a small group of lower rung reporters and invited them to a star hotel at Begumpet for a talk. But, descended there were some senior political reporters who wasted no time in highlighting the story in a big way, making it to banner headlines next day.

NTV, in which a minister from Telangana is stated to have some share, promptly sensationalized the story, by putting it in scroll, throughout the day. This was taken by other channels too, which were badly waiting for a breaking story. So is the case with other major Telugu dailies.

Now, the story is simple. The actor issued a press release urging his fans to keep quiet, till he announced it officially, and the eye specialist is incommunicado to media, after chided by YSR, and the media struggling to sustain its story.

Meanwhile, the minister and the CM are happy that the entire episode has done a big benefit for them; to make people divert their attention from various scams and misdeeds of government. Poor TDP and other parties are left in lurch as they do not know what is going to happen to them now.

Venkaiah treates journos with 'chepala pulusu'!

After a long time, journalists in Hyderabad were treated with some real sumptuous feast by Bharatiya Janata Party national vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu.

For many days, politicians in the State capital have been treating the journalists with utter contempt, because of the fabricated stories appearing in the media on every politician. So, when Venkaiah gave them a royal feast in Hotel Mariotte, a star hotel in Hyderabad, it was virtually flooded with reporters not only on the BJP beat, but also on the other political and non-political beats. So much that Venkaiah wondered whether there were so many reporters in Hyderabad.

Okay, Venkaiah did not leave the reporters just like that. He gave them full two-hour bhashan in Hindi, English and Telugu. on how Narendra Modi could emerge victorious in Gujarat elections and why there are bright chances of BJP staging a come back in the next general elections. The mediapersons, who came in hundreds, had to patiently wait for the lunch, which of course was worth waiting. It had all varieties of menu: from Nellore Chepala Pulusu to Nadu Kodi fry to Hyderabad biryani.

Behind The Scene: Why did VHR purchase new dress?

Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao is a man of high optimism. Despite all the rumours that there are no chances for him to become the next Pradesh Congress Committee president or get a berth in the Manmohan Singh cabinet, he did not lose his hope.

The other day, Hanumantha Rao purchased two sets of new clothes – kurtha and pyjama, along with a coat in New Delhi. Yet, he did not wear them and has still been coming in his old dress to AP Bhavan in Delhi and Fateh Maidan Club in Hyderabad.

Inquiries revealed that he purchased the new dresses for the special occasion: when he becomes the PCC president or takes oath in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet. Though he would do regular shopping, he wanted that those two dresses should be worn only on those occasions. One doesn't know whether his wish would be fulfilled or not. Wish him all the best!!

Photo Feature: Oldest Photograph of 1840

In 1814, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce created the first photographic image with a camera obscura, however, the image required eight hours of light exposure and later faded. Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre is considered the inventor of the first practical process of photography in 1837. That's what the history of still photography says.

The above photograph was taken somewhere in 1840 and it is archived in the oldest photographs documents now. So, this can be called the photograph that was taken in first phase in India. The ladies in this photograph were temple dancers (devadasis) as mentioned in a brief description along with this photograph.

NJ Telugus suggest Chiru to Tie-up with Lok Satta

Progressive Telugu Forum( PTF),USA has organized its Fourth event in Edison,NJ, on 23rd December as part of its national campain to bring Hope & Change in current political system in AP with the leadership of Chiranjeevi.

New Jersey Area PTF Co-Ordinater Srikanth Reddy Akuthota welcomed the audience and thanked them for attending despite heavy rain and servere weather conditions and holiday weekend.

PTF National Convener Ram Tatineni started the meeting with "Hope & Change with Chiranjeevi" message and explained the need of the day to get Chiranjeevi into politics for better Andhra Pradesh.

Several speakers participated in intelligent discussion on various aspects of current state of politics and what Chiru can & has to do with new party.

Mr Venu Palyam, Vice President, Marlabs Inc expressed confidence in the leadership of Chiranjeevi and started the discussion of how Chiranjeevi can take advantage of experience and knowledge of Lok Satha .

Many speakers agreed with Mr Venu and stressed the need to get into an alliance with Lok Satha as it has earned a clean image in AP with its tireless efforts on various issues such as Health and Education that are the most important factors in common man's life.

Other speakers include Satya Rayavarapu, Veer Tikki,Suresh,Shyam,Leela Krishna,Ramana Pasupuleti, HariKrishna and others.

Speakers raised concern about the current state of politics in AP and pressed the need for alternative political party .

Several people including local telugu families participated in the event and expressed confidence in Chiranjeevi's leadership.

Photos of the event can be viewed at the URL below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ramtatineni/NewJerseyMeet

PTF is organizing two more events in Bay Area and Los Angeles in California this weekend on 12/29 and 12/30.

For more details on these events please visit

http://chiruforap.com/bayarea.htm

http://chiruforap.com/la.htm

Please visit www.chiruforap.com and support Chiranjeevi by signing the on-line petitoion.

Thanks & Regards
Ram Tatineni
National Convener, Progressive Telugu Forum

Chiru passing through "Sade Saat" phase

Astrologers say that film actor Chiranjeevi is passing through the "Sade Saat" phase. Sade Saat or the bad seven afflicts all people on the earth during one or other phase of life. The bad seven years are known to cause heavy damage to property and public image of the individual. Many successfully come out of the phase by the Grace of the Almighty. But a few suffer during the period.

The film star is currently passing through this worse phase. The year 2007 was in a way the worst year for the film actor. The year started with one or the other trouble for Chiranjeevi. Several domestic issues put him to great botheration. His daughter ran away from home and married a person against the wishes of the family. Then the debut film of his son flopped at the box office. His brother is caught in a legal battle over a marital affair. And finally there was bereavement in his family.

Astrologers also point out that the next year too will be an uphill task for Chiranjeevi. Since he is passing through the bad seven years phase, his plans for a political party may backfire and will not yield any desired electoral result in the May 2009 elections.

This is something really bad for all those who believe in astrology and the Sade Saat phase. But it all depends on the Almighty God.

'Swathi' Editor Balaram Is Worth Rs 1500 Cr

This sounds a wonder to know that many of Telugu celebrities from various fields have turned crorepathis of more than Rs 1000 Cr in very short notice. After film stars, politicians and media barons now we have to talk about a magazine editor who earned many crores of worth approximately Rs 1500 Cr now. That is Vemuri Balaram, the editor of Swathy magazine.

He started the magazine with many hopes and myriad doubts 3 decades ago in a small room at Vijayawada. His family background was also rich but not to big extent. He didn't earn big figures with his legacy and parental property but only earned on Swathy magazine. Balaram used to spend his earnings from 'Swathy' only for his livelihood and the rest he invested on acres of lands at various places. He believed in cultivating lands and procured many acres. His house in Vijayawada is now a sprawling one and requires big eyes to see.

His lands have got steep appreciation in the past 4-5 years and left him with Rs 1500 Cr and above now. Is that not astounding to know!

Popular Politician of the Year-2007

He has been a notable personality in Rajahmundry from the past 30 years but not known for the rest of the state. He was in Congress and has been known as an interpreter and translator for Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when they used to come to Rajahmundry. He never earned big and never made any sort of news in the past 30 years. But he turned a news maker all of a sudden this year by attacking Ramoji Rao's Margadarsi. His name goes along with that firm now. He is Undavalli Arun Kumar, the MP of Rajahmundry who turned popular this year. He exposed his invincible arguing capabilities, timely response for tricky questions and boldness in putting strife with media baron Ramoji Rao.

He turned a newsmaker this year and attracted each and every media channel, tabloids, news papers and websites. There were many magazines those were sold out in market in big way with his photograph on cover page. He also started a magazine by himself this year called 'Ee Vaaram'. He is now an MP and Editor of 'Ee Vaaram' too.

Every politician will be a news maker somehow or other. But breaking the silence and attracting the media and public all of a sudden is something to be underlined- and that too for quite a long time. So, Undavalli Arun Kumar can be called the popular politician of the year 2007.

Chiranjeevi's Father Very Strong And Sturdy

Chiranjeevi's father Shri Konidela Venkat Rao turned a topic for discussion among many. He breathed his last last morning leaving his family in big grief. The fans of Chiranjeevi took it very personal and few had shed tears as a silent condolence for the family of their star. Not only the fans of Chiranjeevi, but many other hearts also melted with compassion.

Many have started saying great things about Late Shri Venkat Rao.

"He was very strong and sturdy. He used to drive on motor cycle from Nellore to Rajahmundry when he was in his 50s. He is very disciplined and affectionate and the qualities were taken by his children", said an old friend of Venkat Rao.

"He used to have great affinity for Mogultur although traveled various places on transfers. Chiranjeevi used to study in Mogultur living in his aunt's house. Venkat Rao was known for love and affection", recalled another.

The day was spent by many mega fans and admirers of Mega Star by paying homage for the passed away father of Chiranjeevi, Nagababu and Pawan Kalyan.

New channel to have Telangana tinge

One more Telugu news channel will hit your screens soon. Called T Channel, this latest 24 x 7 network is likely to be commissioned by first quarter of next year. Former Andhra Jyoti editor K Ramachandra Murthy is the CEO cum MD of the new channel.

Bhavanarayana, of Maa TV former news editor will be the editor of this new channel, and Mallepalli Lakshmaiah, senior journalist and Dalit intellectual will be state network in charge. Rammohan, till recently with Satya TV, will be its output editor.

Though Kapil Chit fund people are touted to be owners of this new channel, sources say that Andhra Joyti boss Vemuri Radha Krishna has a strong stake in T Channel. A few NRIs from Karimnagar district are also said to have some minor stake in it.

The new channel will have a Telangana tinge to it, though its top brass is unlikely to own it. “Some people may say we are Telangana channel, while others are free to interpret it as Telugu channel and Truth channel,” said a functionary associated with the channel.

Anyway, it is going to be refreshingly different from the existing seven private Telugu news channels - ETV-2, TV 9, Maa TV, Teja News, Zee Telugu, NTV and TV 5. Indications are that actor Nagarjuna is busy with preparations of launching his own news channel in 2008.

Rumors: Devender Goud to join Chiranjeevi

Some important developments are in the offing in state. Telugu Desam Party veteran and former home minister T Devender Goud is set to join hands with mega star Chiranjeevi, who is expected to announce launching his own political outfit in the new year.

Vexed with Chandrababu Naidu’s tantrums aimed at him, Goud is seriously thinking of joining the bandwagon, which is likely to have the cause of social justice, sources said. In this case, Chiranjeevi, will have to acknowledge Goud as virtually No 2 in the new party.

This status has been eluding Goud in TDP presently. “Sometimes, Goud assumes that he is No 2 after Naidu, but he is equated with just yet another light weight, like Kadiam Srihari or Errabelli Dayakar Rao,” pointed out a TDP leader close to the Medchel MLA.

Goud is more hurt by the fact that certain TDP seniors like Ummareddy Venkateswarlu, who openly ridicule Goud, are believed to have the backing of TDP chief. “Naidu has no guts to challenge Goud openly, but he does give pinpricks to the latter indirectly,” said the Goud aide.

Normally, Goud always addresses Naidu as Sir”. But, of late, he started using singular number terms like “Aaayana” and “Baabu”. One should not forget the fact, that TDP senior Kotagiri Vidyadhara Rao lost his place with Naidu, just because he addressed the CM as “Baabu” in a cabinet meeting long ago.

If Goud dumps Naidu, and embaraces Chiranjeevi, it is going to be a biggest blow to TDP in Telangana region. Not only that, backward classes elsewhere too would develop cold feet for TDP and distance themselves from it.

Some advisors of Goud are of the view that he should float a separate Telangna TDP and have a tie up with Chiranjeevi. “But, no final decision is taken on the course of action,” a Goud associate said. Anyway, Goud is going to unveil his political ambitions before 2009 polls.

Devendar Goud suggests, Babu follows

Till a few days ago it was the other way round. Telugu Desam supremo N Chandrababu Naidu used to call the shots in the party meetings and internal discussions. Now it is senior party leader T Devendar Goud who has been virtually dictating terms in the review meetings. Devendar Goud's suggestions and advices are accepted by Chandrababu Naidu instantly. Now that he is in the race for power, with State Assembly polls fast approaching, Chandrababu Naidu has come to terms. He knows fully well that if he has to win the political race, he should keep everyone in the Telugu Desam in happy mood. Since Devendar Goud hails from the backward Telangana and his role getting important in the area, Chandrababu Naidu does not want to antagonise him. Devendar Goud has of late emerged as a crowd puller in the Telangana region and Chandrababu Naidu wants to keep Devendar Goud in good humour at least till he bounces back to power.

On Monday during the Politburo meeting of the Telugu Desam, Devendar Goud came up with a list of suggestions which Chandrababu Naiud promptly agreed to implement. Even the distribution of blankets among the inmates of social welfare hostels is the idea thrown up by Devendar Goud.

BC leaders in the Telugu Desam are happy that Chandrababu Naidu is at last giving importance to senior leaders in the party. But the million dollar question that remains unanswered is: will Chandrababu Naidu continue with the same generous attitude after he comes to power, whether in 2009 or 2014.

Y S Jagan as Youth Congress president?

Will Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, take over as the president of Andhra Pradesh Yough Congress?

Well, Khammam Zilla parishad chairperson G Vijayalaxmi wishes so. She asked Jaganmohan Reddy to join politics and take over as the Youth Congress president, so that he could give a new direction to the youth of the State.

Mrs Vijayalaxmi said that the energetic leaders like Jagan should not be away to the politics and he should join politics to extend his services to the poor. "I felt the above as a mother and I hope Jagan may honour my appeal", she said and she added that she noticed various programmes organised by him for the welfare of the poor in Kadapa and other districts.

Merry Christmas

Gossip: Yester Years' Heroine Rs. 30,000 For Single Night

A yester years' heroine who hails from Chennai is earning Rs 30,000 per single night by selling herself. This is the plight of this actress to meet the family requirements. She acted in number of films (Telugu and Tamil) in 90s and slowly gone oblivion. She couldn't make enough of savings for her future. Hence she is acting in TV serials as well now and then. She is indulging in escorting men and a pimp is working on her behalf.

The issue was leaked when the lady approached a doctor for contraceptives and general health check up for the fear of any STD. She was proved unaffected as of now but the hospital sources leaked the information. When enquired, her fee details and activities have come out. She is spending much of her time in Chennai and also in Hyderabad now and then. She is not so active in films now and her Hyderabad visits will be for this 'trade' in general. As she is not much expensive, there are many among affluent men who are choosing this lady. Her recent tryst was in a bungalow on Road 10 Banjara Hills.

Although she is 30 plus now, she still looks hot with traditional look.

Female condoms, an emerging market in India

New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) Indian women are gradually waking up to the fact that their sexual health is in their own hands - if the sale of female condoms is anything to go by.

"The market for female condoms is just beginning to develop," said M. Ayyappan, chairman and managing director, Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), a state-run condom manufacturer and so far the only player in this market, told IANS.

"Currently, the male condom market in India is to the tune of two billion pieces annually, and we are expecting the female condom category to attain at least three percent of that in the next three years."

According to health experts, the need for female condoms had always been felt, especially among sex workers for whom it is not just a way to ward off sexually transmitted diseases but also a tool of empowerment.

HLL recently launched a new type of female condom, Velvet, a more cost effective product than its predecessor Confidom, which is for the premium segment. One pack of Velvet costs Rs.100 and contains three pieces and Confidom costs Rs.250 consisting of two pieces.

Velvet is manufactured in HLL's plant in Kerala. It is made of a material called Nitrile, which is provided by its US-based partner Female Health Company.

"The distribution channel for Velvet is the regular medical stores and modern trade outlets (like superstores). We are also in the process of installing female condom vending machines at high-end hotels to dispense the condoms," said Ayyappan.

"The product will soon be available through e-commerce at getcloser.in website and other e-portals. Confidom is already available through e-commerce."

In the first year of launch, the company expects to sell 1.5 million packets of Velvet.

HLL has a sales target of about Rs.5 billion by financial year 2008-09, of which about 8-10 percent is expected to be contributed by the female condom segment. It aims to achieve a turnover of Rs.10 billion by 2010.

The company, which posted a turnover of Rs.2.44 billion, exports its products to over 70 countries around the world. It is also exploring the option of exporting Velvet.

Narendra Malhotra, president, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of India and Family Planning Association of India (FOGSI), said: "The unmet need of female condoms in India is huge and if marketed properly this may become the fastest and hottest selling method. The potential is huge."

"And looking at its business potential, a lot of private players are expected to come into the market," Malhotra added.

Agrees Ayyappan, who says: "Currently we are the only company marketing the product. But we do expect private firms to get into the category and any amount of competition is always good for the consumer and the category."

"More options being available will only increase the prevalence rate of contraceptives."

HLL is also working extensively in six states - Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal - to increase awareness of female condoms.

"Any new contraceptive choice takes a few years to gain complete acceptance among the masses," said Rajeev Kumar, product manager (consumer business division), HLL.

"Today, a significant section of Indian women are financially free. Earlier, the woman had to depend on the man for using condoms. Female condom provides an increased option of contraception and gives a choice to the woman," Kumar added.

But still a lot needs to be done as far as awareness and acceptance of the products is concerned.

"Even though it is picking up, awareness about female condoms has not yet gained as much popularity, especially among women from the higher social strata," said Ayyappan.

Political Buzz: 'Modi is Dhoni of Team BJP'

NEW DELHI(PTI): The 'Dhoni' of Congress Rahul Gandhi may not have been able to make the party victorious in Gujarat but that does not stop BJP to equate its mascot Narendra Modi to the youthful captain of the Indian cricket team.

As soon as Gujarat Assembly polls threw up a remarkable victory for the party, BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said it was a win of the 'Team BJP' led by Modi.

"Team BJP fought the elections with vigour and Modi has emerged as the Man of the Match. He has become the Dhoni of the party," Prasad told reporters here, apparently likening the BJP's victory to the spectacular win in the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup three months back.

Rahul was described by the Congress as their 'Dhoni' when he was appointed AICC General Secretary in September. His appointment coincided with the World Cup victory and Congress lost no time in seeking to cash in on it.

The 37-year-old Congress heir apparent was subsequently fielded by the party in Gujarat with the hope that he would manage them wrest power in the state from Modi-led BJP.

The charisma of 57-year-old former RSS pracharak , however, proved too much for the 'Dhoni' of Congress.

The "if" promises of Chandrababu Naidu

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu has been rolling out promises after promises from his tongue. But all these promises come with a tag: "If".

The TD is now in the Opposition. So if it has to implement the promises it has been making to people in the last four years, the party need to come to power. It has to dethrone the Congress to claim power in the State.

So ever promise Chandrababu Naidu makes is, "if elected to power we will do this and that". Chandrababu Naidu did not do these things when he was power for nine long year. Now that he is in the Opposition, he says that he will do this and that if he were elected to power in the next State Assembly elections.

The latest promise he had made on Saturday was with regard to waiver of all loans - both commercial and cooperative -- borrowed by artisans and craftsmen. He also promised that he will provide loans to these sections at 10 paise interest. His yet another promise was to set up a fund with Rs 1000 crore for the welfare of backward classes.

While Chandrababu Naidu is busy with his "ifs and buts", the Congress government is marching ahead with his concrete promises and fulfilling them at the earliest. Now it is for the voters to decide whether to believe in Chandrababu Naidu or the Congress.

Kapu leaders stumbling blocks for Chiru

Look who is creating problems for film star Chiranjeevi! They are not Kammas or Reddys. But leaders from the Kapu community, to which Chiranjeevi belongs.

According to inside sources, the film star is delaying his decision to plunge into politics primarily because he is not getting the much needed support from the leaders of his own community. Chiranjeevi hoped to muster the support of Kapu strongman and Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao. But Chiranjeevi could not get Dasari's support. Sources point out that Dasari is not in favour of Chiranjeevi entering into politics at this juncture. Other senior Kapu leaders, both in the Congress and the Telugu Desam, are also against the film star entering the political arena.

The reason for this is quite simple. These Kapu leaders have been enjoying political privileges all these years. And now they do not want to hand over their independence to Chiranjeevi. If Chiranjeevi sets up a political party, all these Kapu leaders will have to play the second fiddle. And who wants to be the second-in-command to a film actor, particularly after calling the shots all these years?

If Chiranjeevi has to set up a political party, he will not get first class Kapu politicians to back him. He will have just second rung or non-influential Kapu leaders beside him. The film star has to depend on other castes for votes and this in a way will prove beneficial to the film star, political observers feel.

Fact Sheet: Chandrababu Pulling Lokesh Into TDP

Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu is silently preparing his only son N Lokesh for "arangetram" in politics. All this has been going on behind the four walls of Chandrababu Naidu's residence. Lokesh has also been visiting NTR Bhavan but secretly.

When Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy is grooming his son YS Jaganmohan Reddy, will his bete noire Chandrababu Naidu lag behind in selecting his political heir in Andhra Pradesh? The race has begun. Rajasekhar Reddy is doing it openly, because Jaganmohan Reddy has already settled in life and is planning to launch his own newspaper. But this is not the case with Lokesh. He is yet to "complete" his studies. Though he is the rich son of a rich father, Lokesh has not made a mark in life, except marrying the daughter of his uncle, film actor N Balakrishna.

Jaganmohan Reddy definitely has the edge over Lokesh. And this is the reason why Chandrababu Naidu does not want to announce in the open that Lokesh will join politics. Nevertheless, Lokesh is being trained by Chandrababu Naidu on how to take over the reins of the Telugu Desam and rule over the State.

Moreover, Jagan is more mature than Lokesh. Though Lokesh wants to be independent, Chandrababu Naidu still considers him as a "child" who needs parental support to come up in life.

This is the tale of two fathers and two sons, who want to make it big in the political horizon of the State.

Fact Sheet: When Uma sought the support of YSR

Former minister and Telugu Desam legislator A Uma Madhava Reddy had been in a major problem for quite long time. But she chose to approach Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy for help and not her own political boss and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

According to inside sources, Uma had some financial problem with an influential person. She made several efforts to get back the money and settle the issue. After all the efforts failed to deliver the goods, she had a brain wave; to approach Rajasekhar Reddy for help.

In just two days Rajasekhar Reddy is said to have settled Uma's problem. And pray tell why did she approach the chief minister and not the Telugu Desam supremo. The answer is quite obvious. Chandrababu Naidu is an elusive politician who does not extend a helping hand quite often. So she thought it would be an exercise in futility to seek the help of Chandrababu Naidu. Rajasekhar Reddy, on the other hand, is known for his helping nature. And he thoughtful action paid off.

The men and women who dominated events in 2007

New Delhi(IANS): It was a year of Marx and malls, billionaire fantasies and pangs of land acquisition, Nobel glories and Nithari shame. In the scramble of events, it wasn't easy to pick just 10 names that dominated events in 2007. But this list of newsmakers compiled by IANS journalists attempts to embody the new India with all its contradictions.

There's billionaire businessman Ratan Tata whose Tata Steel acquired the largest British steel-maker Corus in an $11 billion deal in an empire-strikes-back move.

If business showed a new can-do attitude, Indian politics presented a spectacle of schizophrenia and unresolved tensions. Marxist chief Prakash Karat makes it to the list for almost single-handedly derailing India's nuclear covenant with the US and questioning how the government modernised the economy.

His comrade Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the market-friendly chief minister of Left-ruled West Bengal, also dominated headlines but for the crisis he caused with his land acquisition policy, particularly in Nandigram.

Dalit leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati forged a rainbow electoral coalition that embraced upper and lower castes and Muslims in one magic formula that brought her to power in India's most populous state.

Away from the hurly burly of politics, environmentalist R.K. Pachauri brought Nobel glory to India as head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the promise of clean climate that has become the reigning theme of global discourse.

Shah Rukh Khan, the unquestioned king of Bollywood, reinvented himself as the quiz show host and fed billionaire fantasies of middle class Indians with "Kaun Banega Creorepati" and became a mega earner for Bollywood with "Chak De! India" and "Om Shanti Om".

Ace actor and born-again Gandhian Sanjay Dutt showed grace under pressure by braving the rigours of jail after being sentenced for his role in the 1993 Mumbai bombings.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni enthralled the cricket-crazy nation by shepherding India to victory in the latest Twenty20 makeover of the game. Rajnikant soared to new heights of mass adulation in southern India with "Sivaji: The Boss", India's most expensive movie at $20 million.

In this list of newsmakers, one name may sound incongruent. Moninder Singh Pandher made headlines for plumbing new depths of depravity as skeletons of girls and children whom he and his servant allegedly raped and murdered emerged from his house in Noida.

The 10 headline-grabbers:

Prakash Karat
India's youngest Communist commissar, Prakash Karat, dominated headlines like no Marxist has ever had, almost killing a path-breaking nuclear deal with the US and injecting political uncertainty for a government when none existed.

The unassuming Karat dramatically took on the Congress-led government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, warning it not to sign the deal that had been arrived at after months of intense negotiations in New Delhi and Washington.

Even in his aggression, the Myanmar-born and Edinburgh-educated Karat was suave but made it amply clear that the government existed at the mercy of his Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and its smaller allies and that they could not be ignored without a heavy price being paid.

In the process, Karat became a powerful political actor, determining the future of one of the most significant and controversial foreign and strategic policies, without being in power and without ever contesting any election to parliament.

However, mirroring the dialectics of Marxism, Karat exhibited flip-flop, now hinting at early elections and then saying he didn't mean it, now insisting that the government can't talk to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and then giving a reluctant go-ahead.

Eventually, Karat did lose some sheen and contributed to the rumblings among his smaller allies that the CPI-M boss was acting unilaterally akin to a "big brother" - much like the George Bush he so much reviles.

In the CPI-M itself, the man who took supreme charge two years ago, succeeding the ageing but veteran Harkishan Singh Surjeet, remains the undisputed hero. And along with his wife Brinda, the Karats are probably the world's most influential Communist family.

Mayawati
If Karat made waves, Dalit icon Mayawati unleashed a tsunami in 2007. The feisty former school teacher single-handedly achieved what everyone thought was impossible: bringing her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to power in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, on its own strength.

It was a success that had eluded her mentor, the late Kanshi Ram. At a time when all major political parties had accepted the inevitability of a hung house in Uttar Pradesh (population 166 million), Mayawati proved everyone wrong.

Having consolidated her base among the Dalit community and having expanded the BSP's fangs to all parts of northern and central India, using lingo that often put off other communities, Mayawati suddenly changed tracks to do a "social engineering". She forged bonds between the long-oppressed Dalits and the high-caste Brahmins to create an electoral revolution, having many others including large sections of Muslims already on her side.

It was a magic formula that decimated the Congress - the original inventor of the Dalit-Muslim-Brahmin formula, jolted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and ousted an overconfident Samajwadi Party. For the first time, the BSP won seats in every region of the sprawling Uttar Pradesh, bagging 206 seats in the house of 403.

Mayawati, her admirers say, has set her sights high - very high. And the lonely ranger believes that the slow and steady always win the race. A "social engineering" of the Uttar Pradesh type may not be possible everywhere but the BSP chief knows the power even some seats in a hung assembly can command. With both the Congress and the BJP hoping to forge electoral ties with Maywati some day, she is most likely to play a more and more important role in national politics.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya
While Karat rode high in 2007, his friend and fellow Communist Buddhadeb Bhattacharya hit a new low in the politics of West Bengal that has been in the grip of the CPI-M for three long decades.

From a 'bhadralok' who was counted as a saviour when he took charge of the state, Bhattacharya became one of its most hated figures when he sent hundreds of his party cadres to storm and "capture" Nandigram from those who had taken charge of the region to protest against the government's bid to hand over farmland to industry.

For the first time since the Left Front led by the CPI-M came to power in 1977, thousands, many otherwise sympathetic to the Reds, took to the streets to denounce the chief minister who had topped popularity charts since replacing the veteran Jyoti Basu and leading his nine-party alliance to victory in 2006.

But the theatre-lover Bhattacharya's love for industry, in a state where the CPI-M and other leftwing groups have had a strong base among farmers, proved to be his undoing.

As the chief minister unveiled plans to set up special economic zones, by acquiring farmland albeit after compensating the landowners, a revolt swept parts of West Bengal. The Trinamul Congress plunged in - and found unexpected support from within a disgruntled Left Front.

Even as Singur, where the Tatas will build small cars, and other places accepted fate, willingly or otherwise, Nandigram turned out to be Bhattacharya's Stalingrad. There, an assortment of anti-Marxists joined hands to drag the CPI-M into long-term misery.

Nandigram was not the only black spot. The role of some of his senior police officers in the mysterious murder of a young Muslim man who had married the daughter of a Hindu industrialist and the manner his government asked Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasreen to quit Kolkata following Muslim protests shocked many.

In no time, Bhattacharya lost the high moral ground he had for so long. Towards the end of 2007, Bhattacharya looked like a poor shadow of the Chinese revolutionary he tried to ape: Deng Xiaoping.

Ratan Tata
It was a glorious year for Ratan Naval Tata, chairperson of India's biggest industrial house, and for India Inc when his $29 billion group bought Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus for $11.1 billion - the largest acquisition of an overseas company by an Indian business house.

The global corporate elite was impressed with Fortune magazine naming Tata as one of 25 most influential people in the world in 2007. This deal pitchforked India into the big-league of the multibillion-dollar world of mega mergers and acquisitions and raised many an eyebrows as Corus, at that point, was ranked the eight largest producer of steel in the world and several times larger than the Tata Steel.

A graduate of Cornell University, Tata pulled off something a coup when he announced that Tata Motors, another company in the group's stable of 97 companies, would sell a small car for all of Rs.100,000 ($2,500) that India's burgeoning middle class could afford.

The hiving off of Tata Consultancy, India's largest exporter of software, into a separate company, part acquisition of Energy Brands of the US for $677 million and buy out of Singapore's NatSteel for $468 million are some of the major deals that bore his distinct personal stamp.

Buoyed by a string of successes, Tata Group has now set its eyes on acquiring two iconic British automobile brands - Jaguar and Land Rover. The global business community saw the Tata success as the symbol of India Inc's new acquisitive appetite and global ambitions.

Shah Rukh Khan
Whether for his six pack abs, his one-liners or as the man who gave Bollywood its two biggest hits in 2007, Shah Rukh Khan was seldom off the news this year - or from our consciousness.

He began the year as the charming quizmaster in the TV show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" that had men and women of all ages blushing as he flirted outrageously or took gentle jibes. In between he was the intense Kabir Khan who battled stereotype and failure in "Chak De! India", which was made for Rs.200 million ($5 million) and garnered more than three times as much - Rs.640 million.

For the 42-year-old SRK, 2007 has also ended in a blaze of glory with his portrayal as the goofy Om in the madcap "Om Shanti Om", produced by him and directed by pal Farah Khan. The film is going strong and is already being touted as the biggest hit of the millennium, beating the 2001 partition melodrama "Gadar".

Off the screen, Shah Rukh was the most seen and most talked about star, who shone as an actor too, with his many endorsements and pronouncements on everything from Islam to his six pack abs.

He spoke to a newsmagazine about his family and what it meant being a Muslim in today's India, he was an invited guest at the HT Leadership Summit and talked about his vision for the future, he was chief guest at the Summit on Entertainment and Media organised by the industry lobby Assocham. The young Khan was also widely believed to be taking on the mighty Bachchans - Bollywood's premier family.

Shah Rukh Khan was everywhere this year - because he was the most saleable, because he was the thinking person's hero who read his newspapers, and also because he now sports washboard abs and a gelled ponytail that has spawned a thousand look-alikes.

Sanjay Dutt
Is he the lovable Munnabhai who brought Mahatma Gandhi back into the reckoning or a pampered brat once again jailed for his connection with the 1993 Mumbai terror blasts? The many faces of actor Sanjay Dutt kept him in the news for much of 2007, with his screen successes eclipsed by the drama in his real life.

Dutt's biggest success "Lage Raho Munnabhai" was released last year. But the magic carried on to 2007 with the screen persona of the lovable hoodlum who becomes a Gandhian still holding sway. And when a Mumbai court sentenced him to six years in jail after absolving him of terror charges and convicting him for being in possession of illegal weapons, he captured the public imagination -- and the headlines.

The hot topic of discussion everywhere was whether he deserved it. Intricacies of the Arms Act and the Probation of Offenders Act under which he appealed for leniency were avidly debated.

The irony didn't escape anyone. The man who popularised the apostle of non-violence was playing around with deadly weapons before the worst terror attack in the country, and that only enhanced his appeal.

Dutt, who had only one big release "Shootout at Lokhandwala" in 2007, was in and out of jail from August onwards and every detail was lapped up. What he was wearing in court, what he ate for lunch in jail and even what his girlfriend was wearing, every incidental detail about the star's life was prime time news for the star-struck nation.

His mother's death from cancer and his wife's from a brain tumour, his battle with drugs, his straying to the other side of the law and his jail term... Dutt's has been a star-crossed life that is more compelling than fiction.

It is perhaps that tragic flaw in the otherwise charmed life that ensures that he is never away from the headlines.

Rajendra Kumar Pachauri
R.K. Pachauri is not your typical eco-warrior haranguing corporations and governments on their blithe indifference to the perils of climate change. But when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN body which Pachauri heads, jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize with former US vice-president Al Gore, this poetry and cricket-loving environmentalist was all over the world's airwaves.

The IPCC's seminal report on climate change is a collaborative work of hundreds of authors and thousands of contributors from all over the world. One of Pachauri's major achievements has been to put these together into a logically coherent report that has done more than anything else to bring home the danger and immediacy of global warming.

After the publication of this report, Pachauri went on an evangelical tour of the world, tirelessly explaining its significance to policymakers and common people alike. At the Bali meet on climate change, Pachauri's smiling urbane self and calm voice did much to bring some coherence into fierce quibbles over the contours of the new climate regime.

The 67-year-old Pachauri has been chairman of the IPCC since 2002. He has also headed the New Delhi-based think-tank The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since its inception 25 years ago. As a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Climate Change, Pachauri is playing a major role in shaping India's response to global warming in the form of a national action plan, which is to be finalised by February or March.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni
He's the Captain Cool of Indian cricket who relishes pressure cooker situations. Leading from the front, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Ranchi, showed that he had it in him and more. Not just did the Pepsi & MTV youth icon carry India through five humdinger matches at the Twenty20 world championships in Johannesburg, he pulled off an incredible victory against Pakistan and plunged cricket-crazy Indians into wild euphoria.

More importantly, his presence marked a tectonic shift in Team India's selection process. His self-belief and consistency have served as a model for aspiring cricketers, inspiring many to transcend their social and economic class to make it big in Indian cricket.

Now shorn of his neck length tresses despite Pakistan President Pervez Musharaf's advice to him not to change his coiffure, the cricketer's scant regard for world rankings and emphasis on performance have led him to don the mantle of India's one-day international captain.

Affectionately called Mahi, the talented cricketer has scaled great heights in just a short time since he debuted in international cricket three years ago. His on-field exploits have also made him one of the hottest properties in advertising, with his charisma selling products as diverse as Reebok to Mysore sandal soap!

He could well have been lost to football but for his soccer coach who felt he was destined for cricketing glory. Football's loss has become Indian cricket's gain, and Dhoni's fairytale career is peaking new heights.

Rajnikant
His real name is Shivajirao Gaekwad. But he goes by other soubriquets such as Periya Thalaivar (Big Boss) and Kadavul (God) and rules millions of hearts not just in India but also across the world who literally worship his machismo and flamboyance. Without doubt, Rajnikant, the style icon of south Indian cinema and loosely described as the country's answer to James Bond, is a phenomenon that just gets bigger all the time.

After three decades in filmdom that has helped him achieve superstar status, the 57-year-old Rajnikant broke all records June 15, releasing the much-awaited big-budget Tamil movie "Sivaji: The Boss" worldwide. It was his 100th release, the most expensive Indian movie ever made at an estimated Rs.800 million and the first Tamil film to be released simultaneously in the US, Canada, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Just in sheer terms of reach and marketing the movie was a roaring success story and bore testimony to the star's incredible fan following. In Malaysia there were riots by Rajni fans in front of theatres when the prints didn't arrive in time, sure-fire sign that Rajni's mystique transcends cultures and territorial boundaries.

Such is his trans-national appeal that even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could not resist evoking the cult of Odori Maharaja, as the star is known in Japan, in his address to the Japanese Diet last year. For the man who started his life as a bus conductor, it's been one long glorious journey and one that carries agonies and ecstasies of millions of his fans.

Moninder Singh Pandher
Evil lurks in the unlikeliest of places. It was a story of gruesome killing of children, rape and even cannibalism that repulsed India - and the man at the centre of it was the benign looking businessman Moninder Singh Pandher who lived in a bungalow in Noida and had studied in some of India's best institutions.

When skeletons of children and women started emerging from a drain adjoining the house in the fading days of last year, conventional notions of barbarity and shamefulness were challenged.

The skeletal remains of at least 19 children and young women were dredged out from the drain. Pandher, alias Goldi, and his servant Surendra Koli were alleged to have raped the victims, then mutilated the bodies - and there was talk of cannibalism too.

Almost every day since the scandal first broke, macabre details emerged about how the master and the servant colluded to enact a pornographic horror show with victims hacked to pieces after the orgy was over.

The rich businessman protested innocence and tried to make his servant the fall guy. But a shocked nation was not interested in the legal nitty-gritty and watched unquestioningly as television shots of him being almost lynched by lawyers outside the Ghaziabad court were aired. As 2007 ended, Pandher had been accused in a couple of murder cases and was safely ensconced in Ghaziabad's Dasna jail.

Pandher was more than just the crime story of the year.

Spotlight: Allu Aravind As Deputy CM!

No one knows when Chiranjeevi really enters politics but the discussions on it are in different forms. An interesting discussion took place in Film Nagar last evening among two-on-screen celebrities and three behind the screen technicians those are seniors.

A person in the group said, "If Chiranjeevi sets up a party that would win 60 seats I believe. TRS would win 40 as there is string sentiment this time. Congress would win 80 and TDP would bag 90. The remaining seats will be shared by BJP and Lok Satta if possible".

Then immediately the other continued the discussion saying, "If that will be the case, then Congress and TDP would desperately try for Chiranjeevi's support. Then Chiranjeevi wouldn't come onto main picture. He will be behind the scene like a king maker, Bal Thackeray. Then Allu Aravind would come into the picture on the condition of giving him Deputy CM position. Chances will be very meagre for Chiranjeevi's party associating with TDP. It may join only Congress depending on the situation. It has to join either of those two parties but cannot sustain peacefully standing independent. Chances are there for TDP joining with TRS. Chandrababu would shell out Rs 1000 Cr for KCR and also promising a special package for Telangana. And with that KCR turns towards him".

The other person interrupted and said, "If Ashwini Dutt joins Chiranjeevi's party he will be given Cinematography Ministership".

And the discussion went on that way in cinematic way. It recalled the adage 'aalu ledhu choolu ledu koduku peru…'!! Well, who knows how many would like this wild dream and incredible assumption.

Discussion on Chiranjeevi is not only the common people's stuff but also equally treated by cine celebrities.

Andhra Students Murder: $5,000 reward for info

WASHINGTON/BATON ROUGE: Police has offered a USD 5,000 reward for credible information about the killers of two Indian doctoral students at Louisiana State University, as tips poured in after the release of sketches of two suspects.

Earlier on Thursday, the police released the sketches of two men wanted for questioning in the murder of two Indian students in the university campus, after meeting the Indian diplomats.

The sketches were made from descriptions given by witnesses who saw two people around the apartment. They were seen hurriedly leaving the apartment complex in a car with one or two other people, police said, adding the sketches were available for download at http://www.lsu.edu/pa/photos .

According to the police, "All indications so far are that the suspects were looking for someone to rob when they killed the two victims".

One of the men, believed to have been the driver of the car, was a black male estimated to be in his 20's, they said.

"His hair was done in twists in rows. He was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt," police said.

The second man, wearing a white long sleeve shirt with a high collar and dark jeans, is also allegedly a black male in his 20's, possibly even over 30, 5'8"-5'10" tall, with a muscular build and a receding hairline, they said.

They are believed to have left in an older model, light-coloured Oldsmobile Alero.

It is believed that one of the victims was spotted arriving at the apartment complex and was followed to the other victim's apartment, where both men were killed.

Police have not yet released the descriptions of other two men involved in the crime.

The suspects were seen on the complex property at 9:00 pm on the night of December 13th, and may have been in the general area or on property even earlier.

Kiran Kumar Allam (33) and Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma (31), both resident of Andhra Pradesh, were shot dead on Thursday last at the Edward Gay Apartments on the edge of the LSU campus. They were pursuing doctoral degrees at LSU and the apartment belonged to Allam.

Devineni Nehru: YSR is NTR's heir

VIJAYAWADA: Supporting the statement of Union Minister for Human Resources Daggubati Purandareswari, who described Chief Minister Y S Rajsekhar Reddy as the person who has been fulfilling the ideals of former Chief Minister and her father NT Rama Rao, Kankipadu MLA Devineni Rajasekhar said here on Wednesday that Reddy was the real heir to NTR.

Speaking to newsmen here, the MLA said Reddy had introduced free power supply to farmers, distributed white ration cards, taken up housing programme and was going to introduce Rs 2-a-kilo rice scheme.

He objected to the TDP leader's concern over the statements of NTR's daughter at Ghantasala village in Krishna district on December 14.

He wondered how TDP men could claim NTR as their founder when Babu came to power by backstabbing him. The MLA said that the TDP leaders had humiliated NTR by throwing chappals at him.

The MLA alleged that Chandrababu Naidu had withdrawn all welfare schemes introduced by NTR after he came to power.

Dr YSR imitates Babu, forms mobile clinics

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu has formed mobile clinics in villages to boost his image as a service-oriented politician. He is taking up medical activity through NTR Memorial Trust. And now Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy has followed suit. Not to lag behind, particularly when the election fever is fast catching up with political parties, the chief minister on Tuesday announced setting up of mobile clinics.

But Rajasekhar Reddy has forgotten how he would be able to provide medicare to the people particularly when he had lost grip over junior doctors, who are nothing more than students. They are yet to receive their degrees and register themselves with the IMA. When Rajasekhar Reddy does not have control over junior doctors, how could he be able to provide service to people through mobile units.

But Rajasekhar Reddy is in an upbeat mood and wants to "universalise quality health care" in Andhra Pradesh. He mooted yet another health mission particularly in the rural areas. This is in addition to the already launched "Rajiv Aarogyasri" (health insurance scheme for the BPL families and white card holders) and the EMRI (108) and Health Information (104).

It is proposed to introduce 475 mobile clinics in rural areas beyond 3 km reach from the Primary Health Centre (PHC) for the benefit of a targeted population of four crore including 8 lakh pregnant women, 28 lakh children less than five years old, 80 lakh school-going children, 70 lakh people with chronic illnesses like TB. Anemia, blindness, asthma, diabetes, hyper-tension etc. The main objective is to provide services for identification, diagnosis, monitoring & treatment, record keeping and referral of risk cases in a habitation through convergent, comprehensive and regular once-a-month fixed day program.

The programme also envisages training of 40,000 Asha workers, 40,000 Anganwadi workers and 40,000 RMPS and 1,40,000 elected village representatives in planning community mobilization for mosquito control, sanitation/hygiene and safe water.

Each of the 475 mobile medical units staffed by 7 people would cover 3,000 population daily totalling 4 crore of population per month. Over 45,000 cell phones would be provided for IDSP, Nep-natal/post-natal and risk reporting.

The program facilitates access to the needy at the habitation itself, for most of the requirements. Free lab diagnosis and medication for 30 per cent of the population with multiple vulnerabilities, 15 per cent may need to be referred to PHCs/hospitals for further treatment. It also alerts public health officials for any outbreaks and epidemics.

The programme saves to the targeted population in terms of access costs, diagnostics costs and treatment costs (e.g., savings of Rs.1,275 for a pregnant woman). Diagnosis, treatment and monitoring at habitation for non-communicable/newly emerging diseases like diabetes, hyper-tension, asthma etc.

With this program, current mortality of MMR, IMR and child mortality could be brought down by 50 per cent within three years and incidence of communicable diseases could be brought down by 60 per cent through effective community participation and planning.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the working of the Emergency Ambulance Services (108) and the Health Information System (104). He asked the Telephone Department to make 104 also toll free from landlines on the lines of 108. The Chief Minister was informed that the 108 and 104 services–both A.P. Government projects with technical support from Satyam (EMRI) –have become very popular and today serving a large and wide spectrum of population.

The Chief Minister will launch the Mobile Clinics Programme on January 26 in the rural areas of the three districts from where the Aarogyasri was launched for better synchronization of both the schemes.

Chiru's fans now want him to work for unity

After pressing him for long to join politics, the fans club of mega star Chiranjeevi now demand that he work for the unity of the Telugu-speaking people not only in Andhra Pradesh but also all over the world. They equate him with former chief minister and Telugu Desam founder NT Rama Rao. The fans club feels that Rama Rao had brought unity among the Telugus by launching Telugu Desam. They want Chiranjeevi to work for the unity. However, the fans club this time did not specifically demand that Chiranjeevi join politics and thereby work for the unity of the Telugus.

Since Chiranjeevi himself did not announce his political intentions, the fans club too does not want to be dragged into the controversy. So in a subtle way it has come out with the demand and the need for unity among Telugus. The club is of the view that only Chiranjeevi will be able to bring about the much-needed unity among Telugus at this crucial juncture. The fans are hopeful that the film star will some day or the other, but before the next Assembly elections, announce his intentions to join politics or launch his own political organisation.

Sourav Ganguly to endorse INX

The Prince of Kolkatta is all set to become the Prince of TV. Sourav Ganguly joins the ever increasing list of sportsmen turning to Television, by becoming the presenter of a show on the yet to be launched channel, NewsX, the English News Channel of INX Media.

Ganguly will not just be actively involved with the channel's programming, but also will be working closely with the NewsX sports team. If that’s not enough, wait till you hear this. Ganguly will also be brand ambassador for INX News and will eventually play a role in the entertainment programming for 9X, the network's Hindi entertainment channel.

Indrani Mukerjea, the Founder and CEO of INX Media Pvt Ltd and also the Chairperson of INX News Pvt Ltd. said that Sourav is one of the most loved stars from India's collective passion, cricket and that they are delighted to announce that he has signed up with them. She also added that Sourav, as a Brand Ambassador will reaffirm their commitment to go with only the best for NewsX.

Sourav was equally excited about this association. Sourav said that he was very glad to be associated with the INX network and that he is looking forward to his association with them.

Eminent Journalist Vir Sanghvi, who is now the CEO of NewsX, said that he was always to have Sourav on board and that he is pleased that they have signed him up for a long-term association.

Fact Sheet: Jana does what YSR could not!

Home Minister Jana Reddy could do what Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy could not – forcing the striking junior doctors withdraw their agitation.

The Home Minister held two rounds of talks with the junior doctors' representatives at his chambers on Wednesday. He told them that there was no point in demanding the arrest of the MLAs, because it would snowball into a law and order problem, as the agitation was taking a political turn with the involvement of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. He convinced them that the law would take its own course; moreover, the longer the agitation, the more will be the repraisal from the people. Already, several public interest ligitations are being filed against the doctors in the High Court and it would be better for them to withdraw the agitation in their own interest.

Jana Reddy argument has convinced the doctors, who were earlier agitated over the issuance of a GO by the Chief Minister, invoking Essential Services Maintenance Act against them. The doctors were prepared to fight the battle against the government, but wisdom prevailed upon them and they responded positively to a call from the Home Minister. So, all is well that ends well.

How about an ordinance for actors?

Bharatiya Janata Party has desperately tried to cash in on the agitation launched by junior doctors and their seniors against the alleged assault by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLAs on them at Niloufer and Nayapul hospitals.

So much so that their national vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu has been camping in the State capital for the last two days and instigating the representatives of the doctors to fight out with the government till the MIM MLAs are arrested. He tried to smear the communal colour to the incident, asking whether the Majlis leaders dare attack the doctors in Princess Esra Hospital and Owaisi Hospitals, being run by the MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, if any patient dies there.

However, when the government promulgated an ordinance, making the attack on doctors a cognizable and non-bailable offence, the BJP leaders are disappointed. A desperate Venkaiah now questions whether the government would come out with a similar Ordinance to prevent attacks on other sections, too. "Now, it is doctors. Will the government promulgate similar ordinance for protecting actors; then tractors and then teachers?" he asked in his typical dramatic style. He demanded that instead of ordinances, the government should take steps to arrest the Majlis MLAs.

Chiru talk delays Jagan's daily plan!!

Heard that the proposed Telugu daily "Saakshi" to be launched by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, is likely to be delayed further.

Initially, it was proposed to launch the daily on Sankranti; later it was rescheduled to February 21. Now, reports from inside indicate that it might get postponed further up to Ugadi. Everything in the management planning is being kept as a closely guarded secret and even the journalists taken on rolls have no clue as to why things are getting delayed. The daily was supposed to sponsor the international film festival in Hyderabad, but Jagan backed out on the ground that he doesnot want to get the title exposed to the public till the last moment.

According to sources, Jagan has developed second thoughts of launching the daily, after his advisors confirming the news about the proposed plans of Megastar Chiranjeevi to launch a new political party. It would bring major changes in the political strategies of the Chief Minister and so do the media plans of Jagan. He has to take a conscious political stand, in the event of Chiru's plans to entry. So, he asked Saakshi editors to wait for some more time, till a concrete picture emerges on Chiru's political plans. If everything works out well for Jagan, he might release full page advertisements in all the major dailies some time in the month of January declaring the launch date, sources say.

Chiru talk delays Jagan's daily plan!!

Heard that the proposed Telugu daily "Saakshi" to be launched by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, is likely to be delayed further.

Initially, it was proposed to launch the daily on Sankranti; later it was rescheduled to February 21. Now, reports from inside indicate that it might get postponed further up to Ugadi. Everything in the management planning is being kept as a closely guarded secret and even the journalists taken on rolls have no clue as to why things are getting delayed. The daily was supposed to sponsor the international film festival in Hyderabad, but Jagan backed out on the ground that he doesnot want to get the title exposed to the public till the last moment.

According to sources, Jagan has developed second thoughts of launching the daily, after his advisors confirming the news about the proposed plans of Megastar Chiranjeevi to launch a new political party. It would bring major changes in the political strategies of the Chief Minister and so do the media plans of Jagan. He has to take a conscious political stand, in the event of Chiru's plans to entry. So, he asked Saakshi editors to wait for some more time, till a concrete picture emerges on Chiru's political plans. If everything works out well for Jagan, he might release full page advertisements in all the major dailies some time in the month of January declaring the launch date, sources say.

Behind The Scene: KVR fails Naidu hopes!

Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu feels he is a great strategist in politics, but quite often, he is proved wrong.

Look for instance, the appointment of former minister and ex-CBI chief K Vijayarama Rao as the president of Greater Hyderabad Telugu Desam. Naidu thought KVR is a non-controversial leader and has a lot of leadership qualities. Because of his clean image, KVR would do justice to all sections in the party, Naidu thought.

But KVR failed Naidu's expectations miserably. He doesn't come out of his glass houses and air-conditioned vehicles and has no contact with the people or party workers. Disgusted with his appointment, senior TD leaders like Talasani Srinivasa Yadav and G Sayanna, are keeping away from active party activities. And he has finalized names of all the TD divisional heads in the Greater Hyderabad without going into their credentials, causing a lot of unrest among the genuine party workers.

Now, after realizing that all is not well in the party under his leadership, KVR is pressurizing Naidu to send him to Rajya Sabha in the elections to be held in March. Thus, he has virtually thrown up his hands on running the city party. Now, the TD is totally in a disarray on facing the GHMC elections!

Chiru's party plans hastens Babu's blood bank

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday ordered demolition of a structure in TD headquarters NTR Bhavan to make way for a modern blood bank. Though the proposal of a blood bank has been on the cards for quite some time now, Chandrababu Naidu rushed through it after he got concrete evidence that film star Chiranjeevi was serious about his plans to launch a political party.

The film star has denied having authorised anyone to speak on his behalf that he was jumping into politics after quitting the film world. But he did not confirm or deny that he was launching a political party. Chandrababu Naidu gathered more information about Chiranjeevi's plans through his courses in the Tollywood and film personalities loyal to the Telugu Desam. A jittery Chandrababu Naidu wanted to speed up the blood bank plans and start work immediately after the harvest festival of Sankranti. Chiranjeevi himself is running a blood bank and Chandrababu Naidu wants to outsmart him through his own medical services.

The long defunct doctors' unit in the Telugu Desam was also revived. With the TD jumping into the election mood, service activities are also speed up. A modern blood bank is one of the service activities of the Telugu Desam to endear itself with the masses before the hustings. Let's see whether Chiru's blood bank will have more takers or will Chandrababu Naidu's blood bank will become numero uno in the State. Of course, not in terms of publicity but in terms of service.

TV to play spoilsport for junior doctors

The YSR government has decided to invoke the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act against the striking junior doctors. If the provisions are invoked, then the doctors could be arrested and put behind the bars. The government may even take disciplinary action.

But the major problem before the State government is, against whom it should proceed. So it has got a novel idea of identifying the leaders behind the strike. But how? Just go through the news clippings shown on various TV channels and identify the most outspoken striking junior doctors. Once they have been identified, trace their addresses and swoop on them in the dead of the night. Arrest them and put them behind the bars.

So the TV has in a way become a major headache for the striking junior doctors. The best way left for the junior doctors is to revert to the good old days when there used to be just media statements written on a piece of paper and sent to newspapers. Now that the junior doctors have come to know the real intentions of the government and the damage their TV interviews are going to do, they will be very careful henceforth and shy away from the TV cameras.

Fact Sheet: YSR hits two birds at one shot

After promulgating the ordinance to prevent violent attacks on doctors and damage to the hospitals, Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy has decided to go tough with the junior doctors, who continue to be on strike demanding arrest of the MIM MLAs.

The Chief Minister, who had no other option but to go soft on the Majlis party in the interest of the Congress party, served a stern warning on the striking doctors stating that the government would invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act against the, if they do not join duties by Wednesday. YSR's decision followed a firm stand taken by the State High Court against the doctors.

While it appeared that the government was favouring the junior doctors, the Chief Minister's warning was a sort of slap on the face of the Opposition parties who are trying to gain mileage by supporting the doctors. YSR knows that his tough stand against the doctors would get him appreciation from people, especially the poorer sections, who regularly go to the government hospitals. And that is hitting two birds at one shot!

TRS brainwashes girls on Telangana

A shrewed politician that he is, Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhra Rao is now targeting the girl students to involve them seriously to participate in the separate Telangana movement.

More than 600 girl students attended the training classes on separate Telangana conducted by the TRS president at Telangana bhavan in Banjara Hills on Tuesday.

All the girls were provided with pink khanduwas and chunnis and were thoroughly brainwashed by KCR on the need to have a separate State. The classes will continue for few more batches, TRS sources say.

According to these sources, KCR is of the view that girls of Telangana have a far more understanding of the problems of Telangana and therefore, have more seriousness towards the movement. He has asked his party leaders to target only Telangana girls from government colleges, schools and corporate institutions and prepare training modules for them. The girls would be taught the history of Telangana, the injustice meted out to the region over several decades and why there is a need to have a separate State. Going by the response from the girls, KCR is more or less successful in his strategy.