India News Clips
 

Indian Mujahideen, who? when? where? July 28th, 2008 - 3:31 pm ICT by Bupha Ravirot – http://www.thaindian.com/ After the blasts in ‘IT city’, Bangalore last week and serial bombings in Ahmedabad on Saturday, India , people want to know more about Indian Mujahideen. The unheard group ‘Indian Mujahideen‘ have claimed themselves the responsibility of several civilian attacks in India. Phone calls and a 14-page manifesto e-mail sent by the Indian Mujahideen to over 20 media houses including some foreign news organizations, before Saturday’s serial bombings Ahmedabad. Titled “The Rise of Jihad“, the manifesto says the bombings were carried out to avenge the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat. “In the light of the injustice and wrongs on the Muslims of Gujarat,” it says, “we advance our jihad and call all our brethren under it to unite and answer these irresolute kafireen [infidels] of India.” The e-mail warned future attacks and complained the police “disturbed us by arresting, imprisoning, and torturing our brothers in the name of SIMI [Students Islamic Movement of India].” Before May’s serial bomb strikes in Jaipur, similar messages had also been sent from the IM, saying “to clearly give our message to Kuffar-e-Hind [the infidels of India] that if Islam and Muslims in this country are not safe then the light of your safety will also go off very soon.” In 2007, similar document had been sent to television stations minutes before the bombing of three trial-court buildings in Uttar Pradesh. The e-mail said it was retaliating against “wounds given by the idol worshipers of India.” Investigations maid into the Jaipur and UP serial blasts led to a nondescript cyber cafe and then to servers in France and other European countries. Investigators say the Indian Mujhadeen is a front for groups operating out of Pakistan most likely the Lasker-e-Toiba.

British Professionals Get Lessons In Indian Etiquette 24 Jul 2008, 0930 hrs IST,IANS http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3271440,prtpage-1.cms LONDON: Kissing Indian women goodbye is out for young British businessmen and professionals flying out to India to explore new job opportunities. And visitors should be mindful of something that every Indian knows - their hosts are terrible at timekeeping. These pointers to how to go about your business in India are part of etiquette classes being offered by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) - the British government's lead organisation supporting the promotion of bilateral trade, business and investment. The classes, dubbed "cultural briefings", are part of an Insight India series and are being held in London as part of the UKIBC's efforts to foster greater and better understanding of Indian practices among young British professionals and business people. "Helping business succeed in India is our priority and integral to doing business in India is an understanding of its religions, politics and etiquette," said UKIBC CEO Sharon Bamford. According to the British Council, there are already over 32,000 Britons who live in India and the number is growing steadily. The etiquette lessons, taught by well-known culture experts, are aimed at giving Britons an understanding of the different values and attitudes as well as addressing stereotypes and generalisations. The following are some key lessons from the UKIBC's "Indian business etiquette": Greet with a smile, handshake and small talk Saying 'Namaste' with a slight bow and palms together will be appreciated With women, only shake hands if they offer it. Do not kiss them in greeting or goodbye Always address colleagues with title followed by surname e.g. Mr Patel. Using a first name is seen as being very familiar and disrespectful Don't open gifts until the giver has left the room. Don't seem too eager to open gifts Indians are not always punctual. So be patient and flexible They may call on weekends for discussing business. Don't be offended.

'Tata Motors could drive Queen’s favourite car’ July 28th, 2008 - 8:25 pm ICT by IANs http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/tata-motors London, July 28 (IANS) Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata has told investors he is considering making a super-luxury version of the car that is a favourite of Britain’s reigning monarch, a British daily reported Monday. Ratan Tata, whose Tata Motors bought the marque as part of its $2.3 billion purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover earlier this year, was looking to revive Daimler, the Times reported. The car, which is a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II, may be remodeled into a super-luxury version to rival Bentley and Rolls-Royce - funded from a kitty of a billion pounds earmarked to develop new models at Tata-owned manufacturing units in Britain. The paper said Tata’s plans, which include selling these cars to rich customers in Britain, Asia, Russia and the Middle East, had the support of analysts. It quoted analyst Garel Rhys of Cardiff University as saying: “Tata could make a very good job of this, especially if they target the space between where the top of Jaguar’s current range ends and where manufacturers such as Bentley kick in. Daimler has a fantastic heritage.” At present the Daimler badge is restricted to the most expensive Jaguar model - the Daimler Super Eight, which costs 80,000 pounds.