Frontier India

Now buy BlackBerry Z10 & BlackBerry Curve 922 on EMI

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:02:03 +0000

Mumbai: Blackberry now joins Samsung and iPhone in the EMI club. EMI Schemes have been announced for ‘BlackBerry Z10’ and ‘BlackBerry Curve 9220’ devices in India. BlackBerry Z10 can be purchased with credit card from Axis Bank, Citibank, HDFC bank, HSBC, ICICI Bank, Kotak, SBI Card and Standard Chartered, by paying an EMI of Rs 4799 per month for 9 months. BlackBerry Curve 9220 attracts an EMI of Rs 799 per month for 12 months.

The EMI’s have a Rs.0 down payment, 0% processing fee and 0% interest and the plan will be rolled out in 2500 BlackBerry outlets across the country by this weekend and will be available in additional 400 outlets by next week.

For Curve 9220, Idea Cellular has a Rs 999 1 GB per month data plan for 1-year at Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The implementation of this scheme will be facilitated and overlooked by the financing companies and the carriers will have no role in the process.

“The launch of this plan reasserts BlackBerry’s commitment to make smartphone experience more accessible and affordable to the masses, especially the upwardly mobile youth. The whole proposition of availing the premium experience of BlackBerry Z10 or Curve 9220 by paying a nominal EMI per month is definitely very lucrative and will definitely attract potential customers,” said the company release.

Indian National Defence University – INDU fundation stone laid

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:03:30 +0000

Gurgaon: The foundation stone for Indian National Defence University – INDU was laid by Indian prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday in Gurgaon. Once completed, INDU will a dedicated first-of-its-kind institution for training and research in military studies. The sprawling 200-acre campus to be set up in Binola village is scheduled to be completed by 2019. One third of its strength will comprise of non military or civilian students and the remaining will be reserved for in-service defence personnel. (Read More about Indian National Defence University)

Speaking during the foundation stone laying, Dr. Singh said, defence cooperation between India and other countries has grown and India now has unprecedented access to high technology, capital and partnerships. He said, “New Delhi has also sought to assume responsibility for stability in the Indian Ocean region.”

Speaking about Asia and priorities, Dr Sing said “Nowhere is this change more pronounced than in Asia, where we are witnessing multiple security challenges on account of the intersection of fragile states, internal conflicts, proliferation of arms and terrorist groups. Explosive development of technology is also transforming defence capabilities. As our dependence on the cyber and outer space domains grows, new sets of challenges will emerge, which can also assume military dimensions. The nature of conflict and competition is changing at the same time when national boundaries are being blurred by deepening global integration. Therefore, while defending and securing our homeland, we also have to be prepared to preserve India’s expanding international assets.”

The PM said that the government has given special emphasis on strengthening the capabilities of the Indian Navy. The government has enhanced the full spectrum of capabilities of the Air Force and is equipping it to remain at the cutting edge of technology for the decades that lie ahead. Dr Singh said the Defence University will provide an avenue for soldiers to think beyond the physical arts of war and conflict.

HMAS Newcastle visits Kochi, PASSEX with INS Sharda

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:03:01 +0000

Kochi: HMAS (Her Majesty’s Australian Ship) Newcastle, an Adelaide Class Frigate berthed at Kochi today. The ship on her way for deployment in the Gulf of Aden is commanded by Commander Paul O’Grady. The ship was received at the entrance of the harbor by INS Kabra.

Officials from Southern Naval Command accompanied by the Southern Naval Command Band received the ship formally at the pier.

HMAS Newcastle visits Kochi

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle accompanied by the Australian Consul General at Chennai and the Australian Defence Attache based in New Delhi called on Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command. Mutual visits to the visiting ship and training facilities of Southern Naval Command, professional exchanges as well as social interactions were on the schedule drawn up for the visiting Australian warship.

INS Sharda of Southern Naval Command will undertake a PASSEX – a basic maneuvering exercise – with HMAS Newcastle off Kochi when she departs on Friday.

Bhrahmos cruise missile tested from INS Tarkash

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:28:39 +0000

Panjim: The Brahmosr supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from the Indian Navy’s newest guided missile frigate INS Tarkash off the coast of Goa on Wednesday. The missile was fired as a part of Acceptance Test Firing (ATF) of the ship, said BrahMos Aerospace chief A Sivathanu Pillai.

Launched at 11.00 hours, the missile performed the high-level ‘C’ manoeuvre in the pre-determined flight path and then hit the target.

INS Tarkash is an advanced Talwar Class frigate commissioned on November 9, 2012. INS Teg, a sister ship had fired the missile for acceptance on November 7, 2012. (Read: Indian Navy tests 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile)

INS Teg, INS Tarkash and the third sister ship INS Trikhand are equipped with 8 vertical- launched BrahMos missile systems. The launcher has been designed by L&T. The missile launcher is kept in a container and hence the deck does not radiate large signature.

Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS Vaibhav commissioned

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:35:44 +0000

Tuticorin: Indian Coast Guard Ship Vaibhav, the 3rd in the series of 90 meters class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was commissioned at Tuticorin by Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, AVSM, Director General Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday in the presence of Commander Coast Guard Region (East). ‘Vaibhav’ meaning “Grandeur.”

The OPV has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and is quipped with the state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery. The features include an Integrated Bridge System(IBS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), Power Management System (PMS), High Power External Fire Fighting System (ABS Fi-Fi Class-1) and one indigenous Close Range Naval Gun (CRN-91) along with an optical fire control system. The ship is designed to carry one Helicopter and five high speed boats for Search and Rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill at sea. The ship is fitted with advanced Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) making it an apt platform to carryout search and rescue operations in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).

OPV ICGS Vaibhav

The ship draws 1940 tons and is propelled by two diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 Knots. At economical speed, it has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles and can stay at sea for 15 days without any replenishment. The sustenance and reach coupled with the latest and modern equipment and systems, provide her with the capability to perform the role of a command platform and accomplish all Coast Guard charter of duties.

The OPV is scheduled to be deployed EEZ surveillance and such other duties. The vessel will be exploited extensively in the Eastern region, more so, in the sensitive Gulf of Mannar and up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Sri Lanka, to safeguard the maritime interests of India.

ICGS Vaibhav, will be manned by 10 Officers and 84 men under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sanjiv Trikha,TM and will be based at Tuticorin under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (East).

Arjun Tank Mk II Containerised Ammunition Bin and Blow Off Panel approved

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:17 +0000

New Delhi: A Containerised Ammunition Bin with Individual Shutters (CABIS) and Blow Off Panel (BOP) has been developed for the Arjun Tank Mk II, a DRDO project for the Indian Army. The ammunition compartment for the Arjun Tank Mk 1 is enclosed on all sides except the front for retrieving of ammunition by the loader. In case of ammunition burning in the ready round bin compartment, the crew’s life was at risk. DRDO scientists have now isolated the round bin with CABIS.

Workable even at 30 degree gradient, the modular CABIS has been designed with individual shutters and stowage tubes mounted in a frame compartment of Arjun MBT. The individual Shutter secures each ammunition in the 10 round ammunition compartment through double plunger locking and can be operated with a simple lever and slider crank mechanism. A retention system on top row holds the shutter in horizontal position. It operates defect free at desert’s dusty environment and can handle load exerted due to propellant burning.

The BOP relieves excessive pressure and opening is provided on the roof plate compartment. It has two panels which are mounted on an intermediate frame at both ends with special screws along the breadth side of the panels. It creates hogging effect leading to blow-off if pressure builds in the compartment. When panels are flexed, the mounting screws bend displacing one or both panels.

Three trials were conducted with 10 FSAPDS rounds; 5 FSAPDS and 5 live HESH rounds in random; and 8 inert HESH and 1 live HESH round respectively in te stowage tube of CABIS system. After 1st trial, a spill over of NQM/119 propellant granuels were noticed and a mesh was added below the BOP to eliminate it.

The trial evaluation and demonstration of CABIS with BOP met the intended requirements and the user has approved the system to be integrated in the Arjun MBT MK II. The system is currently under trials with the Army along with other improvements meant for Arjun Tank MK II

iBall Slide’s Quad core Q9703

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:46:51 +0000

Mumbai: iBall, the Indian electronic goods manufacturer, has released its latest Quad Core Q9703 Tablet. The base Quad core 1.2GHz processor and the Octa logic core GPU are meant to provide graphic performance. The powerful processor is matched by a 2GB RAM and a built-in storage of 16GB, expandable to 32GB.

The tablet features a Retina Panel with QXGA HD IPS display and high resolution of 2048*1536 and 264 PPI. Q9703 supports 4K Ultra HD resolution video support (4096*2160), enable watching of a video while working on another application with popup window. It can play up to four videos simultaneously.

iBall Slide’s Quad core Q9

The dual camera comes with an auto focus 5 MP real camera. The front camera is a 2MP camera which can be used for self-portraits as well as video chatting.

The Tablets batter is 8000 mAh and has built in HDMI to connect to projectors and TV as well as built-in Bluetooth for flexibility to transfer data as well as use external devices like Bluetooth headsets, mouse, keyboard, speakers etc. Built in Wi-fi and 3G on dongle is supported. The OS is Android Jelly Bean 4.1.

iBall Slide’s Quad core Q9703 has been priced at Rs 15,999/-.

Back stabber Li Keqiang wants India’s trust

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:26:06 +0000

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang wants mutual trust with India. He claimed that peace and regional stability cannot be a reality without strategic mutual trust between China and India. This is hilarious. Li has not yet explained the Chinese PLA incursions that lasted 21 days.

The peaceful rise slogan of China is now showing. Most Asian countries are now rattled due to Chinese aggressiveness. Japan and Taiwan, which invested in Chinese industrial zones are now in bind. India should be cautious if investing in an Chinese industrial zone. Chinese have shown that they can arm twist using trade as means.

Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the Ceremonial Reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 20, 2013

Information sharing of water flow in river Brahmaputra (called Yarlung Zangbo in China) is a welcome change. However, sharing information is the least India could hope for as the river flows from Chinese Occupied Tibet and nothing can be done incase Chinese put up their famous denial techniques.

Li Keqiang hardly looked like a statesman when he stood at the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhavan and preached Mutual trust. It looked as irritating as Kapil Sibal expounding zero loss theory after the monumental 2G scam. Since the current government gives so much importance to Pt Nehru, the Prime Minister who was on the receiving end of trusting Chinese in 1962, should learn from his follies too.

Oloitiptip, Cherono win TCS World 10K, Suresh Patel, Sudha Singh Indian champs

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:55:47 +0000

Bangalore: Kenyans Alex Oloitiptip and Gladys Cherono ran brave races in contrasting weather conditions to win the overall men’s and women’s titles of the Tata Consultancy World 10K Bangalore 2013, the World’s Premier 10K Run, which concluded at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Oloitiptip, not among the pre-race favourites, but with a personal best of 27.52, took pole position early in the race and held off challenges from fellow Kenyan Nicholas Kipkemboi and Ethiopian youngster Brihanu Legese to win in 28.07 minutes. He was followed home by Kipkemboi in 28.12 and Legese in 28.16.

Current World Cross Country champion Japhet Korir, could not live up to pre-race expectations, finishing a disappointing 17th in 29.59, while another fancied Kenyan Moses Masai finished 10th in 29.05

The overall Indian women’s winners of the TCS World 10K Bangalore, 2013 (from left) 2nd runner up O P Jaisha, International Event Ambassador Maria Mutola, 1st runner up Preeja Sreedharan, Face of the Event Puneeth Rajkumar and Winner Sudha Singh.

The women’s race, run in relatively hotter conditions, saw Gladys Cherono winning in 32.03 minutes, 5 seconds outsode the course record of 31.58, set by Yimer Wude in 2010. Gladys was followed home by Ethiopian Guteni Shone in 32.10 and Kenyan Esther Chemtai in 32.14. Kenyan Helah Kiprop failed to defend her title, finishing seventh in 32.26, while course record holder Yimer Wude was 9th in 32.54.

The overall male and female winners took home USD 21,000 each, with the second and third-placed runners winning 15,000 USD and 9,000 USD each respectively.

Suresh K Patel and Sudha Singh emerged winners among the men and women in the Indian category, finishing overall 20th and 14th respectively.

Suresh Patel, employed with ONGC and based in Dehradun, clocked 30.34, way outside the Indian men’s course record of 29.59, and was followed home by V L Dangi in 30.53 and Mohd Yunus in 30.58.

The women’s race was won by the Railways athlete Sudha Singh in a start to finish effort in 35.25, while Preeja Sreedharan, making a comeback after a layoff, took second place in 36.01, followed by O P Jaisha in 36.31. defending champion Monika Athare had to be content with fourth place.

The Nation’s Challenge saw Uttar Pradesh, represented by Sudha Singh, Suresh Patel and Mohd Yunus emerge winners and take home a purse of Rs 4.5 lakhs, followed by Maharashtra and Kerala.

Though the late night showers on Saturday had cooled temperatures a bit, humidity was high and with the male athletes not willing to force the pace, the course record slipped out of reckoning after the 5km mark. It was a tight bunch that went through the 5km mark, with Oloitiptip, Kipkemboi and Legese in the lead group, followed closely by Mike Kigen, Philemon Rono and Tanzanian Dickson Marwa. The three leaders then broke free at around 8km and entered the stadium with just a few strides separating them.

Oloitiptip stepped on the pedal in the final 350 metres to surge ahead and breast the tape for a well deserved win.
Elaborating on his run, Oloitiptip said “It was fantastic win for me. I had faith in my ability and believed that I could win the run. The first 5 kilometers were difficult and the conditions were humid but the fact that I was strong and well prepared in mind and body helped me do well.”

The women’s race too was closely contested with Lucy Kabuu setting the early pace and leading the bunch comprising Gladys Cherono, Guteni Shone and Esther Chamtai. It was after around 9 kms the Kabuu’s pace flagged, allowing Cherono to move ahead and lead Guteni and Esther into the stadium. Gladys had the stronger finish and warded off the other two to win comfortably.

“The run was my first in India and I am glad with my performance. The weather was humid, which made running a little challenging personally. The run was slow initially but became a lot faster later. I am glad that I overcame the odds and came out victorious. I had a small lead when we entered the stadium and decided to move faster and hold on to my position, said Gladys.”

Following are the final results:
Overall Elite Men:
Alex Oloitiptip(KEN) 00.28.07; Nicholas Kipkemboi (KEN) 00.28.12; Birhanu Legese(ETH) 00.28.16; Mike Kigen(KEN) 00.28.29; Philemon Rono(KEN) 00.28.37; Dickson Marwa(TAN) 00.28.50; Yitayal Atnafu(ETH) 00.28.50; Gideon Kipketer(KEN) 00.28.56; Henry Kiplagat(KEN) 00.29.03; Moses Masai(KEN) 00.29.05.
Overall Elite women:
Gladys Cherono(KEN) 00.32.03; Guteni Shone(ETH) 00.32.10; Esther Chemtai (KEN) 00.32.14; Lucy Kabuu(KEN) 00.32.18; Emily Chebet(KEN) 00.32.19; Pascalia Kipkoech(KEN) 00.32.22; Helah Kiprop (KEN) 00.32.26; Malika Asahssah(MAR) 00.32.41; Yimer Wude(ETH) 00.32.54; Worknesh Degefa (ETH) 00.33.13.
Indian Men:
Suresh KR Patel 00.30.34 (Overall 20); V L Dangi 00.30.53; Mohd. Yunus 00.30.58; Indrajeet Patel 00.31.20; Man Singh 00.31.20; Soji Mathew 00.31.34; Arjun Pradhan 00.31.41; Nandraj Singh Naruka 00.31.43; Karan Singh 00.31.45; Santosh K 00.31.53.
Indian Women:
Sudha Singh 00.35.25 (Overall 14); Preeja Sreedharan 00.36.01 (Overall 15); O P Jaisha 00.36.31 (Overall 17); Monika Athare 00.36.37 (Overall18); Lalita Babbar 00.37.06 (Overall19); Kiran Tiwari 00.37.17 (Overall 20); Jhumma Khatun 00.37.36; Sinimol Paul 00.37.43; Manisha Salunkhe 00.38.01; Swati Gadhave 00.38.31.
Nations Challenge:
1. Uttar Pradesh (Sudha Singh, Mohammed Yunus, Suresh KR Patel) 01:36:56; 2. Maharashtra (V L Dangi, Man Singh, Lalita Babbar) 01:39:18; 3. Kerala (Arjun Pradhan, O Sonaton Singh, Preeja Sreedharan) 01:39:58; 4. Punjab (O P Jaisha, Sandip Kumar, Soji Mathew) 01:40:16.
DHL Corporate Challenge:
1.HIGH ON MARATHON (1: 55:20); 2. FIT KIDS (2:04:33); 3.GOLDMAN SACHS TEAM (2:16:24).
NIKE College Face off:
Boys: 1. Toyota Technical Training Institute (Team I) 01.58.08 2. Toyota Technical Training Institute (Team II) 01.58.20. 3. S.E.A. College Team A Boys I 02.08.26.
Girls: 1. S.E.A. College Team A Girls I 02.37.17; 2. St Anthony College 02.45.59; 3. S.E.A. College Team B Girls II 03.35.41.
Kingfisher Bombaat Brigade:
Diya Foundation (Winner-Fight Against Dengue).
Bosco Group(Runner up-Save a Street Child, Save a Generation).
Kingfisher Sakkath Bangalorean:
Basava Raju N (Winner-Spot Fixing)
Anand Raj (2nd Runner Up-Crime Against Women).

Unlimited FSI in Andhra, have the urban poor benefited?

(FINN) Frontier India News Network — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:04:08 +0000

Construction Companies and Builders have always cribbed that they don’t have unlimited floor space index (FSI) in order to help make houses for the urban poor. Andhra Pradesh can be a test case study for the country as it allows unlimited floor Area Ratio (FAR) since past 7 years and Hyderabad has real estate prices 50% lower than the surrounding states thanks to economic slowdown followed by Telengana issue.

Despite grand posturing by government in 2010, Andhra has not been able to make much headway in Low Income Group Housing or Housing for Economically Weaker Section. Rajiv Swagruha project for 175,000 units in Hyderabad with Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) targets living space for people earning between Rs 6000 – Rs 25000 per month, is performing like Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as the prime Minister. Land reservation regulation Government Order (GO 45), which mandated allocation of 20% of the developed land to the economically weaker section (EWS) as low-income (LIG) housing has been relaxed in 2012-13.

As TATA Housing’s TATA Nano equivalent moves from approx Rs 1500 per Sqft to approx Rs 2500 per Sqft, it is evident that construction costs and high bank interest may not meet governments criteria of Approx Rs 1500 per Sqft criteria. The newer constructions at Hyderabad’s Nehru outer Ring road (ORR) are being priced at Rs 2200 – 2500 Psqf for the middle segment, which is actually the price for EWS housing in Mumbai.

LIG, EWS housing could have been a growth driver in otherwise stagnant real estate market in Hyderabad. On contrary, it is FSI starved Mumbai and Ahmadabad who have taken a lead on EWS housing and that too at private developers own initiative.