Shoaib arrives, looks forward to IPL

I saw the good-news coverage on NDTV 24×7 about Shoaib Akhtar being able to play in IPL. Good for Akhtar because his passion is cricket, good for SRK as he has spent crores on him, good for me as I would get to watch him break some stumps.

Minutes after landing in the country, controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was looking forward to a fruitful stint in the Indian Premier League and thanked Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for his support.

The speedster is free to play for Shah Rukh-owned Kolkata Knight Riders after the Pakistan Cricket Board temporarily suspended his five-year ban.

“I am grateful to the people of India for embracing me, especially (team owner) Shah Rukh Khan who supported me. Eden Gardens is like my home ground. I am looking ahead to be there soon”

Akhtar, who leaves for Kolkata by an Indian domestic flight in the evening, admitted he would have to train hard and acclimatise with the conditions though he had visited the country late last year.

NDTV 24×7 is a must for Indians living in the US as it covers India-centric news extensively. The incisive news channel is available in the US through DirecTV amongst several Indian channels.

Warne lambasts Ganguly, to complain against him

Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne on Thursday said he would lodge a complaint against his Kolkata Knight Riders counterpart Sourav Ganguly for resorting to time-wasting tactics during their IPL match and refusing to accept the fielder’s word on a “clean catch”.

“I was disappointed at the start. While batting we waited for five minutes under the hot sun and they (Knight Riders) were not anywhere to be seen.”
“… when we came out to field, we had to wait for Sourav. So I was really disappointed, he was really running the time.”

The veteran leg-spinner said Ganguly’s antics stretched the match from the stipulated one hour 20 minutes-a-side.

I catch up on news related to India only on NDTV 24×7 since it is the only channel that provides comprehensive and accurate news. People in the US can access this channel only through DirecTV.

Indian men go down to China, finish 4th

I saw the coverage on NDTV 24×7. The news channel is the first to cover India-centric news stories and its a must in the US.

India went down 1-2 to China to finish a dismal fourth in the four-nation men’s hockey tournament on Sunday.

India played the catch-up game on Sunday and conceded an extra time goal, which splashed their hopes of finishing higher up in the tournament featuring South Korea and Australia as the other two teams.

Both India and China missed at least a couple of chances each and there was little to choose between them in the first half. The Chinese though lifted their game and were the better side in the second session.

The news channel is available in the US through DirecTV.

Oz: Indian students to get right to work

Living in the US, watching an Indian news channel covering news about Indians in Australia. Globalisation.

There is good news for thousands of Indians studying in Australia as changes to the visa system, coming into effect from Saturday, will give them automatic right to work in the country.

I saw the news on NDTV 24×7, the news channel is a must for Indians living in the US who want to stay abreast of India-centric news.

Until now, Indian students had to apply separately for permission to work part time while pursuing their studies in Australia.

‘The changes mean that Indian students can now apply for part time jobs and work for up to 20 hours per week as soon as their courses start. It will reduce red tape for students wanting to work in Australia.

NDTV 24×7 is available in the US through DirecTV. I watch the news channel daily for India-centric news.

Amitabh Bachchan turns blogger

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has turned blogger with bigadda.com, a youth networking site, to connect with his fans worldwide.

Speaking about his new initiative, Bachchan said, ”bigb.bigadda.com allows me to express myself, share and reflect my emotions, thoughts, opinions and listen to what people have to say to me and show them the ‘real’ side to my larger than life image that they see through media. It’s a platform which I control and share my own drama without anyone editing or interpreting my thoughts.”

Amitabh also posted his views on his upcoming film Bhootnath and asked readers responses.

Bigadda.com has gained a user base of 1.6 million, where 40 per cent users are from tier II cities like Tuticorin, Bhilai, Amritsar, Guwahati, Surat and Nashik.

The site gets almost 10 per cent of users from countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and from Indians from Dubai, United States and United Kingdom.

This news is available on NDTV 24×7. DirecTV make sit possible to access this channel in the US and also guarantees excellent picture and sound quality.

UK gives relief to highly-skilled Indian Migrants

NDTV Reports: In what may sound as music to the ears of highly-skilled Indian migrants, Britain has decided to allow such professionals to stay as it works to implement a high court ruling against immigration rule changes with retrospective effect that could have forced them to leave.

The Home Office will not appeal against an April 8 High Court verdict that said it was ”not open to the government to alter the terms and conditions” of Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP) under which thousands of highly skilled employees, mostly Indians, came to Britain.

All highly-skilled migrants who came here under the HSMP scheme as on November 7, 2006, when the regulation changes were made, can stay until processes are put in place to implement the judgement, the Home Office said.

Some 49,000 highly-skilled people had come to Britain under the HSMP initiated in January 2002 and most of them were facing the prospect of returning home following changes in the immigrations rules brought into force by the government.

Watched a report on this issue on NDTV last night. It is an excellent channel for Indian news here in the US. It is available on DirecTV’s satellite TV service.

Uganda welcomes back Gujarat businessman

NDTV Reports: Australia, Uganda and now Afghanistan — Indians are slightly apprehensive working abroad. In the middle of this, a delegation has come from Uganda, led by their Foreign Affairs Minister, to reassure businessmen in Gujarat. Last year, Gujarati businesses in Uganda had suffered huge losses when they had to flee the violence there and one Ahmedabad-based businessman had also lost his life.

Uganda is safe now, that is what this delegation is here to tell businessmen in Gujarat.

“We are now offering you a proper business environment and peaceful living in our country with unlimited opportunities for businessmen and corporates from Gujarat as still a large number of Gujarati population stay in Uganda and things are getting better everyday after fall of Edi Amin,” said Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Uganda.

Their suggestions have been welcomed by representatives of corporate houses like Reliance and pharma company like Cadila. And also by Sam Pitroda, the Chairperson of the Knowledge Commission and the man behind India’s telecom revolution.

He has promised technical help to the IT and telecom companies investing in Uganda and even help with the country’s food crisis.

“There was a time when people outside India used to think how India would manage food for everyone, we have done that and can help you for a replication in your country as well. Why do you need to wait for US help,” said Sam Pitroda.

Gujaratis are known for their inclination to find out new avenues and destinations in spreading their business and African countries have always been preferred destinations for them until violence took a toll on their confidence, not only in Uganda but also in Kenya few months before.

Now representations from governments of those countries welcoming back Gujaratis is not only an indication of how much important role Indian business community plays there but also speaks of a rising India, sharing knowledge and acumen with other countries.

I was watching the news last night on NDTV and came across this story. Thought I’d share it with you folks. I am a Gujarati and some of my relatives were displaced from Uganda during Eedi Amin’s time. Its great to know things are improving in Uganda now. NDTV 24×7 can now be accessed here in the US on DirecTV satellite TV service.

Out of action but Sania still rises in WTA Rankings

NDTV Reports: A wrist surgery may have forced Sania Mirza out of action for a month but the Indian tennis ace has still managed to gain a spot in the WTA Rankings, rising to the 30th position in the latest list issued on Monday.

Sania, whose wrist was operated upon last week in the US, now has 917 points.

Sania’s doubles standing has also improved by three notches to 19th this week. The Hyderabadi girl has 1830 points in the doubles’ list.

Meanwhile, in the ATP doubles’ rankings, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi held steady at their 13th and 24th positions respectively.

Paes and Bhupathi were seen in action together for the first time since their 2006 Asian Games spat in the Davis Cup tie against Japan last week.

The estranged duo put their personal differences aside to lead India to a 3-2 win over the Japanese. The triumph earned India a place in the World Group playoff to be held in September.

I’ve admired this young athlete from India right from the beginning of her career. She has the potential to still take Indian tennis and Indian sport in general to the highest echelons of world sport. The country needs to treat her right. Saw an interview if her on NDTV 24×7 last night. I’m glad Indian channels are available here in the US. I use DirecTV and works really well for me.

South Africa bowled out for 265

I missed the match but watched the post day-1 analysis on NDTV 24×7. Its the best amongst Indian news channels available in the US. Indian channels are a rare commodity in the US.

South Africa were 80-1 at lunch, needing only a draw to win the series. It was an important toss to win, with South Africa avoiding having to bat last on a pitch expected to strongly assist spinners as the match proceeds.

The South African openers, Graeme Smith and McKenzie, played cautiously to give the visitors a solid start before Chawla got rid of McKenzie with a gem of a flighted delivery and provided the much-needed breakthough.

The decision to play Ishant Sharma worked for India as he picked 3 wickets on a spinner’s paradise pitch. I will update this blog with day-2 highlights as I watch them on NDTV 24×7. The channel is available in the US through DirecTV.

Indian men get easy draw in Archery World Cup

The Indian archers got a decent draw in the men’s recurve section after the qualification rounds in the first leg of the Meteksan Archery World Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Accomplished archers Tarundeep Rai and Jayanta Talukdar shot 667 and 662 points respectively to grab the fifth and sixth place.

In the elimination round, Rai will meet 60th-ranked Bo Steimann of Denmark, while Talukdar will take on 59th-ranked Felipe Castillo of Chile.

I saw this news on NDTV 24×7. It is the best news channel for NRIs who want to receive the latest news about India. This channel is available through DirecTV in the US.