Dance India Dance Season 4 Unveils its 3 New Masters

11102013

 

Ever since India’s No. 1 dance reality show ‘Dance India Dance’ announced the countrywide auditions for its fourth season, there has been much speculation about what’s new on DID this time around! Audiences across the country have waited eagerly to find out if DID will repeat its famous judge trio or will there be new mentors to judge Season 4?    

While Geeta Kapur, Remo D’souza and Terence Lewis will remain an inseparable part of the DID family, it’s time now to welcome some young blood onto the panel of judges who will lend a new dimension to ‘Dance India Dance’ and drive the country towards creating a new dance movement! Here’s presenting the three new mentors …

He is the man behind some of the most iconic steps you’ve seen the very Dabangg Salman Khan groove to! A talent discovered by Salman, Mudassar Khan is the superstar’s first choice for choreographing all the racy, popular item numbers across films like Bodyguard, Dabangg 2 and Ready. He is also credited with the current rage ‘Party All Night’ from the film ‘Boss’. Apart from film choreography, Mudassar also runs his own Hip Hop School and owns the very famous Hip Hop troupe called ‘Sharpshooterz’. At just 26 years of age, he is the youngest of the 3 new masters and is fondly called the “Master Blaster” for his spirited, sporty attitude.

Belonging to a family of choreographers, Shruti Merchant has dance in her blood! She began her career assisting sister Vaibhavi Merchant in choreographing films like Dhoom 1, 2 and 3, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Aaja Nach Le, Kal Ho Na Ho and Devdas amongst others. For the past five years she has toured countries like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, U.K, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, China, Singapore and Thailand  with the theatrical musical “The Merchants of Bollywood”. She recently won a Best Choreographer Award for her debut song ‘Thug Le’ in ‘Ladies Vs. Ricky Behl’. A powerhouse of energy and an utterly vivacious chatter-box, Shruti warms your heart from the word “Go!”. Trained in Bharatnatyam and Kathak, Shruti has a commendable prowess over Indian dance forms. Producing and directing India’s first ever international theatrical musical production – ‘Taj Express’, Shruti comes with immense knowledge of training dancers.

He started his career in 1996 as an assistant to ace choreographer Farah Khan. Ever since, there has been no looking back for Feroz Khan who is credited with smash hits like Maa Da Laadla from Dostana and Move Your Body from Johnny Gaddaar. With plum projects like Agneepath, Ra.One, Aisha, Anjaana Anjaani and Fukreyto his choreography credit, Feroz is certainly making waves in the industry. Being the most experienced judge on the panel, Feroz is a man of few words and shares his pearls of wisdom in his own inimitable style.

Speaking of the new judge trio, Ajay Bhalwankar, Head-Content, Hindi GECs, ZEEL said, “We are proud of our choices for the fresh panel of mentors on Dance India Dance Season 4. Each of them comes with an impressive body of work in the field of dance. But, above all,  it is their passion for dance that has landed them these coveted positions on our panel of judges. At ZEE, we believe in making celebrities out of deserving talent. Geeta, Remo and Terrence were not household names when we signed them on for DID, but look where they are today! It is our mentors’ fervor for dance that will drive millions of enthusiasts across the country to ‘dance it out’! Each of them has their own unique personality and together, they’re a lethal combination.”

Even as the passion, the frenzy, the camaraderie, the rehearsals, the victories, the disappointments, the hosts, the judges and above all, the spectacular dancing talent return with renewed vigor in the latest season of the show, watch this space for more on ‘Dance India Dance Season 4’!

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11102013

ECBs stands at US$2.31bn during Aug 2013

Indian firms have raised US$ 2.31 bn through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) in the month of Aug 2013 and US$3.71 bn during July 2013 by automatic and approval route. The borrowings stood at US$ 2.31 bn in Aug 2013 as compared to US$ 2.36 bn in Aug 2012.

External commercial borrowings (ECBs) since April 2011                                                                                            (US$bn)

 Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI

Note: ECB contains both automatic and approval routes

India has received gross ECBs worth around US$233 bn between FY2001 and FY2014 (till Aug 2013).

Gross ECB Inflows                                                                                                                                        (US$bn)

Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI

* Data pertains till Aug 2013

Note: ECB contains both automatic and approval routes

A closer look at the ECBs pattern reveals that the lion’s share in ECB during the month of Aug 2013 is held by others* contributing to about 22% of the total, followed rupee expenditure Loc.CG at around 20%, refinancing of old loans at around 18% and import of capital goods at about 17%.

  Pattern showing ECBs during Aug 2013                                                                                                           (% share in total)

  Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from RBI

 Note: ECB contains automatic& approval route both

*Others include the external commercial borrowings by Oil and Engineering companies, however, the purposes is not mentioned in the release.

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

Chief Economist

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EU economic crisis causing massive rise in poverty – Red Cross

11102013

Europe is facing a catastrophic economic and social decline, according to a new Red Cross report. The charity concludes that austerity measures taken during Europe’s economic downturn have further contributed to snowballing poverty and unemployment.

68 page Red Cross report, published Thursday, adds: “We now see a quiet desperation spreading among Europeans, resulting in depression, resignation and loss of hope for their future.”

Five major trends characterizing the impact of the economic crisis across Europe are identified in the document: the poor getting poorer; the ‘new poor’ spiraling into poverty; weakening health; a toughening stance on increasing migration; and a steep rise in unemployment.

The study ominously warns that “the long term consequences of this crisis have yet to surface,”despite already very serious, visible symptoms of economic downturn being detailed throughout its pages.

Red Cross’s research includes data and conclusions collected from a wide range of European countries, from Belgium, Georgia, Greece and Italy to Sweden, charting statistics from the 28 countries of the EU plus 14 in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and central Asia. Italian Red Cross notes in its report. “Public services simply cannot respond to the ever-growing needs,” the report cites Marco Tozzi, a Red Cross volunteer, as saying. “Poverty is on the increase in France, Romania, Spain, Sweden and many other countries as reported by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the IFRC’s mapping exercise.”

Among more general trends, such as increases in poverty, unemployment and reductions in social services, some secondary social consequences are also identified. Grown-up children have been found to be moving back in with their parents in Greece and Spain, and generations are living under a single roof with just one income-earner to pay for the household’s upkeep.

There is simultaneously a broadening inequality gap. “Not only are more people falling into poverty, but the poor are getting poorer, and the sense is that the gaps between the wealthy and the poor are growing,” the report states, adding that those suffering the most in Europe were those identified as already badly off.

Romania, “the most affected people are those who are already poor: the retired, the disabled, people living on social welfare,” while the French Red Cross expresses concern that “75 per cent of people [in France] asking for food explain doing so because otherwise they could not afford to pay their rent.” The Romanian Red Cross also noted a fall in the country’s average salary by 24 percent, accompanied by an increase in living costs of about 30 percent from 2008 to 2012.

Spain and Greece, which have both seen waves of intense protests, spiking unemployment figures and increasing reliance on charity, worrying statistics illustrating the situation in countries such as Germany are also identified.

The German middle class is contracting at a rapid speed, the report notes, citing figures from a Bertelsmann Foundation study; in 1997, some 65 percent of Germans were identified as middle class, while this number drops to 58 percent in 2012, meaning that some 5.5 million Germans have lost their “class status,” according to the study. However, half a million stepped “up” a class, being identified as high-income earners.

Mass unemployment and deepening poverty across Europe have increased the needs of people seeking help from the Red Cross across the continent, as they have increasingly come to rely on charity. “The amount of people depending on Red Cross food distributions in 22 of the surveyed countries has increased by 75 percent between 2009 and 2012,” the report says.

Media agencies

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Russia test-fires Topol ballistic missile

11102013

Nuclear-capable missile RS-12M Topol has been successfully test-fired in Russia’s south as part of a series of tests of new combat equipment, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

“The training combat part of the missile hit a target on the Sary-Shagan testing ground in Kazakhstan,” Defense Ministry press-service said.  

 Specifications are as listed 
Weight: 45,100 kg (99,400 lb) 
Length: 21.5 m (71 ft) 
Diameter: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) 
Operational range: 10,500 km (6,500 mi) 
In service: 1988 to present 
NATO classification: SS-25 Sickle

A test launch of the intercontinental three-stage ballistic missile (ICBM) was carried out from the Kapustin Yar testing ground in the Astrakhan region. 

The main task of the launch was to confirm the stability of the main characteristics of such class of rocket during extended service, the Ministry said.

Now test results will be used for development of new “effective complexes of means to overcome missile defense for equipping new complexes.”   RT News

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Brazil to host global internet summit

11102013

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff

Brazilian leaders have announced they plan to host an international conference on internet governance next year, a declaration that comes after the nation has lobbied without success to change NSA policies used by the US to monitor Brazil.

President Dilma Rousseff, on consulting with Fadi Chehade, chief executive of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), announced via Twitter a conference would be held in April.

“We have decided that Brazil will host in April 2014 an international summit of government, industry, civil society and academia,” she wrote tweeted Wednesday.

The ongoing leaks from whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that Brazil has become a favorite target of the National Security Agency since the US intelligence program launched the PRISM electronic surveillance program in 2007. Along with monitoring the online activity of Brazilian citizens, the NSA has quietly kept watch on diplomatic activity and the South American nation’s oil giant Petrobras.

Rousseff has since put off a scheduled state visit to the US and used her speech at the United Nations to condemn what she deemed “a breach of international law and an affront” to Brazil’s independence.

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Libyan PM freed after hours of captivity

11102013

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan after spending  several hours in captivity  of a ‘former rebel’ militia kidnapped him from a Tripoli hotel in retaliation for his apparent cooperation with a US anti-terror raid.

Later Zeidan was freed by his captors unharmed, he urged another militia group who helped in his release to join the regular armed forces.

“Libyans need wisdom … not escalation … to deal with this situation,” Zeidan said during a televised cabinet meeting.

media reports, A militia commander with ties to the Interior Ministry told a private news channel that another Tripoli-based militia intervened by storming the house where Zeidan was kept, securing his release.

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11102013

Turmoil in Global Capital Markets is a Wake-Up Call for South Asia: World Bank

 

Economic Growth in South Asia will be modest this year and in 2014 with India projected to grow at 4.7% at factor cost in fiscal year 2013-14

According to the South Asia Economic Focus Report of World Bank, South Asia was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. However, economic growth in South Asia will be modest this year and in 2014. Regional GDP is projected to grow by 4.4% in the 2013 calendar year. Due to supply-side constraints and weak domestic demand, regional growth has deteriorated in the second and third quarters of 2013. In 2014, GDP is projected to grow at 5.7% and 6.2% in 2015, driven by an improvement in export demand, measures to speed up the implementation of large infrastructure projects in India, stronger private investment activity, and a good monsoon.

Source: PHD Research Bureau, Compiled from World Bank

India is projected to grow by 4.7% at factor cost in fiscal year 2013-14, a slight decline from an estimated 5% real GDP growth in fiscal year 2012-13. The slowdown in the economy has significant spillover effects to the rest of South Asia.

Other countries across South Asia are either growing slowly or slowing down. Overall, South Asia regional growth is expected to moderate in 2013 compared to prior projections.

According to the World Bank, while South Asia countries vary in terms of political, economic and financing challenges, accelerating the long term reform momentum is asserted to be the best policy for coping with turbulent global capital flows rather than dramatic shifts in short term fiscal or monetary policy.

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

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HP Graphics Solutions Portfolio Fuels Printing Industry Transformation

11102013

HP Graphics Solutions Portfolio Fuels Printing Industry Transformation HP highlights new customer adoptions in Asia Pacific and Japan

New Delhi, India, October 11, 2013 — HP today announced continued adoption of its industry-leading digital printing portfolio across Asia Pacific and Japan, highlighting new customer adoptions driven by the ability of HP technology to provide differentiation and improve customers’ competitive advantage.

The analog printing market is projected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 1.2 percent through 2016,⁽¹⁾challenging printing companies to identify ways to grow business with existing customers and to reach new audiences. With HP Digital Presses growing at double-digit percent CAGR, ⁽²⁾ HP delivers this path to growth, helping printing companies expand their businesses with a broader range of applications and faster turnaround times.

“Changing commercial printing business conditions are forcing printing companies to take a hard look at their technology, application offerings and how they create a competitive advantage in the marketplace,” said Gido van Praag, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business, HP Asia Pacific and Japan. “HP’s digital solutions’ portfolio is the future of the printing industry, fueling a transformation from analog to digital while offering printing companies new avenues to enhance profitability.”

Advancing the industry with HP Indigo Digital Presses

HP recently marked the 20-year anniversary of HP Indigo’s first press launch at IPEX 93. This is a symbolic milestone for HP Indigo, which is now experiencing strong adoption of its fourth generation of presses. As of September 2013, the HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press has had more than 60 installations in more than 20 countries. Regional customers that have purchased HP Indigo Digital Presses include:

• PrimaGraphia Digital and PT Suburmitra Grafistama, both leading commercial printing companies in Indonesia who are looking to ramp up their existing digital printing capabilities and strengthen their competitive edge with the early adoption of the HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press.
• Korea-based Photomon is the first printer to install the HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press locally. With this addition to their HP printing fleet, the company will be able to significantly enhance its speed of operations and move into high-value packaging print work.
• An order for the HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press by Glo Color Labs Pvt Ltd will drive further growth in its commercial printing segment while providing new and innovative products to the photo industry in India.
• Printonica (Sri Sivarama Digital Press), India, installed the HP Indigo 7600 Digital Press to enhance the company’s ability to apply special effects and supply world-class photo books to its customers.
• In Japan, momentum continues to build with Taisei Futaba Industry Co., ltd., East Asahi Co., Ltd. and SANKO Co., Ltd. selecting the HP Indigo 7600 Digital Press as their platform for growth into hybrid printing and a wide range of high-value commercial printing applications.
• Australia-based CMYK Hub which operates on a business-to-business model, was quick to take on a second press, the HP Indigo 7600 Digital Press, after seeing a rapid growth in its digital printing output soon after their investment in the HP Indigo 5600 Digital Press.
• CyberPrintGroup, installed the HP Indigo 5600 Digital Press at their print facility in Thailand to extend their printing capabilities into new application areas, such as printing on plastic and metallic substrates.
• Thailand-based printing specialist, Thung Hua Sinn Co.Ltd, added the HP Indigo WS6600 Digital Press to its growing digital printing fleet to take on wider paper packaging and label jobs, as well as move into high-value applications such as premium carton packaging and finished product samples.
• An order for the HP Indigo WS66000 Digital Press by NODA Printing (Tianjin) Co., Ltd will enhance its productivity and provide high-quality printing solutions for its high-volume labels and packaging production.

With the increased adoption and use of HP digital presses, more and more customers are benefitting from the power of digital to deliver higher productivity, high-value applications and offset quality.

“Installing the HP Indigo 10000 has widened the scope of our business. As a company which relied on 90% of its workload from the wedding industry we now have the capability to venture into the field of publishing, commercial printing, packaging, and proofing etc. We are able to cater to all printing solutions thanks to the HP Indigo, delivering quality, speed and consistency, while remaining economical. The currently installed press is fifth in a row of HP presses and each press installed on our premise delivers great capacities with efficiency and is enabling us to explore new revenue streams. In the near future we are looking at acquiring two new HP Indigo 7600 presses as well.” said T.S. Ramanan, MD, GLO Color Lab.

Customers invest in HP Inkjet Web Presses to grow businesses

Printing nearly 2 billion pages per month at customer sites worldwide—enough to circle the Earth more than 14 times every month—HP Inkjet Web Presses are helping customers transform their businesses. Pages printed on HP Inkjet Web Presses grew high double-digit percent in Q3 2013 versus a year ago, driven by customers such as Hucais Group Co.Ltd with HP T410 and T350 Color Inkjet Web Presses and CTPS Digiprints with HP T410 and HP T300 Color Inkjet Web Presses in China, as well as UK-based Communisis, which has doubled its capacity with recent installations.

Additionally, Philippines-based Vibal Publishing House Inc., will also be adding the HP T230 Color Inkjet Web Press to its HP printing fleet to grow their publishing business.

“With today’s publishing market demanding smaller print runs and faster turn-around times, we had to invest in technologies that can optimize our workflow,” said Gaspar A. Vibal, President, Vibal Publishing House, Inc. “We made the decision to invest in the HP T230 Color Inkjet Web Press as we are confident that it will help to significantly improve our turnaround time while delivering excellent print quality.”

Strong momentum continues with HP’s recently launched large format printing platforms 

Following the recent introduction of HP Latex 3000 Printer and HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press, early customer adoption has been quick. These include installations of the HP Latex 3000 Printer by printing companies such as Shanghai Kangda Penhua Co., Ltd, ABC Photosigns, Q-Advertising Co., Ltd and Active-Adval. Active-Adval, Australia’s largest point of sale (POS) display and signage organization, is also the first in Asia Pacific to order and install the newly available HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press.  

Customers continue to embrace the new printing platforms for greater productivity, versatility and cost-efficiency. They include:

• The first installation of HP Latex 3000 Printer in Japan by ING Graphic Arts co., Ltd to increase productivity and provide value-added services to its customers.
• The installation of HP Latex 3000 Printer by Korea-based Wizard to increase its printing capacity and expand its business from sign and design to large-format printing such as wall-covering.
• PrimaGraphia Digital, also a strong player in the large format printing business, will soon be installing the HP Latex 3000 Printer to extend its lead over the competition by providing its customers with even better print quality and color consistency.
• The first installation of HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press in Japan by TOKYO Lithmatic Corporation to boost digital printing productivity to take on a rapidly increasing number of short-run offset print jobs.

“With the rising volume of on-demand and variable data print jobs, it became apparent to us that we had to increase the productivity of our digital operations while keeping costs down,” said Ryuichi Suzuki, president, TOKYO Lithmatic Corporation.  “The HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press addresses our needs, and its ability to print directly to a wide variety of materials also significantly reduces the production process.”

More information about the latest additions to the HP Graphics Solutions Business is available at www.hp.com/go/GSB. Product videos and updates are available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts and on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts.