Sashi Tharoor's Official statement on the IPL allegation

Official statement on the IPL allegation

1. A consortium led by Rendezvous was set up to bid for an IPL team. They approached me for help and guidance. I steered them towards Kerala. Rendezvous includes a number of people, including many I have never met, and Sunanda Pushkar, whom I know well.

2. My role in mentoring the consortium included several conversations with Mr Lalit Modi, who guided us through the process and presented himself as a trusted friend.

3. The consortium bid successfully in an open and transparent process. Their unexpected success upset the plans of a lot of powerful people, who had wanted the franchise to go elsewhere.

4. Various attempts were made by Mr Modi and others to pressure the consortium members to abandon their bid in favour of another city in a different state. Mr Modi raised assorted objections to the bid documents but finally had no choice but to approve them.

5. His extraordinary breach of all propriety in publicly raising issues relating to the composition of the consortium and myself personally is clearly an attempt to discredit the team and create reasons to disqualify it so that the franchise can be awarded elsewhere.

6. Contemptible efforts have been made to drag in matters of my personal life which I do not intend to dignify by commenting on them.

7. However, I deny Mr Lalit Modi’s allegation that I called him during his meeting with investors in the Kochi consortium in Bangalore on Saturday night in order to press him not to question the composition of the consortium.

I called Mr Modi to ask why he was further delaying the approval of the franchise when all the legal requirements had been fulfilled.. Mr Modi had held up approval by the IPL of the franchisee agreement earlier in the day, by insisting on the reversal of a change in the document that he himself had earlier suggested. This change was made, the consortium members flew to Bangalore and met with Mr Modi after that night’s IPL game for what they had been told would be a routine exercise. Instead they were submitted to a barrage of questions which led some to suspect that Mr Modi was seeking a further excuse to delay approval. This was the reason for my intervention with Mr Modi. Had he conducted himself in good faith throughout, no call would have been necessary.

8. On the question of my interests in the franchise, I repeat that I am proud to have helped the consortium come to Kerala. I have neither invested nor received a rupee for my mentorship of the team. Whatever my personal relationships with any of the consortium members, I do not intend to benefit in any way financially from my association with the team now or at a later stage.

9. A Kerala IPL team is a dream of many young people in and from the state. It has the potential to bring great material and psychological benefits to Kerala’s economy and society. The unethical efforts that have been made by Mr Modi and others to thwart the Kerala franchise which had been won fair and square in a transparent bidding process are disgraceful. It has been clear for some time that the real motive is to assign this IPL team elsewhere than Kerala. All of us in Kerala hope that the BCCI will not permit statements and activities which seek to discredit the Kerala team before it has even had a chance to prove its worth. The public attempts by Mr Modi to besmirch the consortium in fact bring the IPL itself into disrepute.

This statement is issued by me in a personal capacity to respond to the allegations made against me personally.

Dr Shashi Tharoor

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Mumbai apartment sells for a record Rs 33 crore

Tue, Apr 6 11:46 AM

It's one of the most expensive deals ever to take place in India - a sea-facing duplex flat in a prime locations of South Mumbai near Haji Ali was sold in an open auction for Rs 90,600 per sq ft totalling a whopping Rs 33 crore.

The duplex flat, belonging to ABN Amro Bank, at Samudra Mahal, measures around 3,640 sq ft and is situated on the 19th and 20th floors of the building. Several high profile celebrity residents are believed to be staying at Samudra Mahal. According to Pranay Vakil, chairman, Knight Frank, a global property consultancy firm, who was present at the auction, the flat has a very small percentage of loading. "Most of the area is at carpet price and faces the sea. The flat comes along with two covered car parks," he said. He added that there were a number of bidders for the duplex but an unknown party managed to bag the auction deal at Rs 33 crore making it one of the most expensive deals in the city.

Vakil added that the rate at which the flat was sold was utter madness. "The government needs to do something about the supply situation in the city. If things continue like this, a common man cannot even dream of buying a flat in the city," he said. He added that as the flat has just around seven to ten per cent of loading area, the rate per area comes to around Rs 90,600 per sq ft. Vakil believes it is very difficult to determine if this would be the costliest deal in the city. "There are places, which have around 30 per cent loading area. If the same flat was in some other area, it would have been marketed as a 5,000 sq ft built-up area flat. So the per sq ft rate would work out to Rs 60,000. It would be difficult to determine the actual cost per sq ft," he said.

Yashwant Dalal, president of the Estate Agents Association of India, says the properties in the area do command such exorbitant rates. "Firstly, duplex flats do command that kind of premium rate. Secondly, the height at which the flat is situated also commands a premium. And factors like sea-facing view and celebrities living there also determine the rate of the flat," he said.

Dalal added that tainted stock broker late Harshad Mehta's property, which is next to Samudra Mahal and measures around 17,500 sq ft, was sold for just Rs 32 crore by the state government to recover its dues. "The flat was sold at one fourth the original value of the property at an open sale, which was getting no takers," he added.

On November 21, 2007, a four bedroom flat was sold for Rs 34 crore. At nearly Rs 97,000 per sq ft, it was the highest price ever paid in India at the Apsara Co-operative Housing Society - the NCPA apartments in South Mumbai.

Also, a deal at El Plazzo at Malabar Hills, South Mumbai made big news last year after a reported deal between actor Vinod Khanna and a firm took place for Rs 1.20 lakh per sq ft. But the buyer backed off at the last minute.

amit.shanbaug@ mailtoday.in

FLAT'TERED

BUILDING NAME: Samudra Mahal

BELONGS TO: ABN Amro Bank

FLAT SIZE: Around 3,640 sq ft

FLOORS: 19th and 20th

PRICE FACTOR: Sea-facing view and celebrity residents

TOP DEAL SO FAR : A four bedroom flat at the Apsara Society in South Mumbai sold for Rs 34 cr at nearly Rs 97K/ sq ft on Nov 21, 2007
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Sania - Shoaib wedding!!!

Will Sania Mirza be able to marry Shoaib on April 15?

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza’s plans to wed Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has run into deuce with neither of the doubles partners Sania or Shoaib being able to score a winning point.
The big question being asked is will Sania be able to get married to Shoaib on April 15 with all the police cases slapped on the Pakistani cricketer and the Hyderabadi resident Ayesha Maha Siddiqui, who claims to the first wife of Shoaib, occupying the `centre court'.
But there are some unanswered questions in the drama. Here are 10 crucial questions:
1. If Shoaib claims that he was cheated as Ayesha had sent him photographs of some other girl, why is the Pakistani cricketer not releasing the pictures? Is he afraid that Ayesha my release more damaging pictures of their wedding?
2. Shoaib says that the marriage was not valid as he had signed 'nikahnama' believing that he was marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him by Ayesha but who turned out to be someone else. Again where are the photographs? And why did he stay with Ayesha in a hotel as husband and wife.
3. In one of the matches in played in Hyderabad, Shoaib was on record claiming that he was happy to have scored a century in his `wife's city'. So, was he already married to Ayesha then even without having met her?
4. Shoaib says neither he nor his brother-in-law could ever meet Ayesha during their visits to Hyderabad. But there are records to prove that Ayesha and Shoaib had checked into a hotel as wife and husband. What is his take on this? Was he just having a fling? It has now emerged that former Indian cricket captain and presently Congress party MP Mohd Azaruddin had spotted the couple in the hotel.
5. Why is Shoaib not ready to offer a divorce to Ayesha in public? Is there more to the story if he offers a divorce and an apology? Shoaib's stand is that no 'nikah' (marriage) took place with Ayesha and hence there was no need for him to divorce her before marrying Sania. Then what about the hotel stay and his statement before the TV of his `wife's city'.
6. Ayesha now claims that she had a miscarriage, presumably out of the wedlock with Shoaib. Why is it that she is not releasing proof of this?
7. Why are the Siddiquis - the parents of Ayesha - fighting such a bitter public battle? Should they have not settled the matter in private? Do they have anything against Sania's family? Ayesha told a television channel that she was determined to see him punished for cheating her.
8. Why did Sania's family not do a proper background check on Shoaib before announcing plans of the wedding? Or did Shoaib hide things from Sania's family?
9. With non-bailable cheating cases now slapped on Shoaib by the Hyderabad police, can the Pakistani cricketer get married to Sania on April 15? Hyderabad Police Commissioner A.K. Khan has said that Shoaib would not be allowed to leave India without police permission. "We have alerted all immigration gateways not to allow Shoaib to leave," he said.
10. The cases that Shoaib faces are: sections 498 A (harassment), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Without clearing these cases will he be able to marryMeanwhile, Pakistan has stepped into the scene assuring an embattled Shoaib of all legal help.
Sources in Islamabad said that the Law Ministry in Paksitan is keenly following the case.
Earlier, in Hyderbaad Shoaib claimed that Ayesha had starting making phone calls to him in 2001 when he was in Sharjah with the Pakistani team.
"Naturally I wanted to meet her. Every time I brought up the topic of meeting, she would send me a bunch of photographs," the statement said.
The cricketer claimed that he was made to believe that he was speaking to the girl in the photograph. "The truth is that I have, to this day, not met the girl in the photograph," he said.
Shoaib said in 2002, Ayesha forced him into marriage over telephone saying people in Hyderabad had started talking about their relationship and this had put her parents in an embarrassing position.
"We accidentally ran into the truth about who Ayesha was," he said.
"It happened in August 2005. My brother-in-law got a photograph of a teacher in Saudi Arabia who was telling people around her that Shoaib was married to her. I was aghast when he showed me the photograph of the teacher. The woman in the photograph was the woman I called Maha Apa."
A nervous-looking Shoaib told reporters that the marriage with Sania would take place in Hyderabad on April 15. "I have come here for my wedding with Sania Mirza and we are happy," he said. Shoaib said Sania knew the truth and she had been supportive of him.
To a query about Sania's tennis career, he said she would play as long as she wished to play. "She has been representing India and will continue to represent India," he said to another query.
Source: India Syndicate with agency inputs
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Indian women getting 'empowered' with direct selling

India's $740-million direct selling industry, where products are sold directly to customers rather than through retail shops, is fast emerging as a viable career option for women, empowering them to earn some decent money from home.

'Most women are raised to believe that they have to be perfect homemakers,' said Chavi Hemanth, secretary general of the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA), which works to promote this segment of merchandise trade in the country.

'So their psyche becomes such that they do not wish to go beyond the four corners of the house. But direct selling comes handy, as it gives the option to work at the times they prefer and not the regular nine-to-five job,' Hemanth told IANS.

'All direct selling companies also offer opportunities at very minimal investment. They impart professional training and personal development. There is no specific educational bar -- just basic literacy is enough to carve an entity of your own.'

Little wonder direct selling has emerged as a woman-friendly field, with 1.22 million becoming a part of the industry in India. The turnover, excluding that from insurance premia, is expected to cross the $1-billion mark in the next two years.

That's also the reason why several global players in the business such as Amway, Avon, Tupperware and Oriflame have already entered India even as scores of others have set their eyes on the market here.

'It is not at all bad to sit at home and earn. This way I can spend time with my growing daughter,' said Anjali Dhingra, a post-graduate in English and a mother of an eight-year-old daughter, who became a distributor for Tupperware two years ago.

'I live in a nuclear family and cannot run away from responsibilities. I also have to support my husband and share the financial burden. So, I find this easier and profitable,' she added.

'Since Tupperware is all about products used in the kitchen, at home and the like, it was very easy for me to sell it to my relatives. Then with time, I developed more contacts sitting at home.'

Seema Sisodiya, whose husband lost his job during the slowdown last year, also has a similar story to share and considers herself lucky that she became a distributor for Amway, given the difficult circumstances she had to endure.

'On the one hand, my husband lost his job and, on the other, rising prices of essentials were sucking out our savings. At that time I also could not manage to get a job. But this distributorship of Amway has helped us earn our bread -- and some butter.'

At the core of direct selling is to make entrepreneurs and give flexibility of time to work, said Hemanth. 'Many women today choose to be homemakers. But they also look for some other opportunities to use their skills, time and knowledge,' she adds.

That's why many direct selling companies mainly promote women as consultants. In Amway's case, for example, there are as many as 550,000 active distributors, and around 62 percent of them are women.

'At Amway, one can become a business owner with low investment and also low risk. It is an equal opportunity business which anyone can start with an investment of Rs.995,' said Amway India chief executive William S. Pinckney.

According to the industry association, which recently conducted a survey on the industry along with global consultancy Ernst and Young, a 5-10 percent annual growth rate is expected over the next few years, driven by the Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.

'India stands 11th overall among the top 25 countries worldwide in the number of sales consultants present within the direct selling network, and 23rd in terms of the revenue generated through direct selling,' said the survey.

'An increased focus on new and emerging product categories and growth in depth and breadth of distribution, along with improved productivity of the sales consultant network, will help to boost the growth of this industry,' it said.

(Sakshi Gulati can be reached at sakshi.gulati@ians.in and biz@ians.in)

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10 Signs it's time to quit

How many times a day do you say to yourself, "I like what I do, but not where I work?" Or the opposite, "I like where I work, but not what I do?"
The current economy has kept many employees stationed for the past couple of years, not because they love what they do -- but because they are too scared to pursue other opportunities. But many employees feel disengaged from their jobs and don't know what to do. So should you continue to stay in a job where you are unhappy? Or start looking for somewhere where you'll be happier?
People quit their jobs for many reasons. Maybe you don't like your co-workers or your boss drives you crazy. Maybe there's nowhere for you to move up in the company. Maybe you're overworked and underpaid. Maybe you're all of the above.
While the choice to move on to greener pastures is up to you, here are 10 signs that should tell you if it's time to start thinking about moving on:
1. Your co-workers drive you crazy.Co-workers can be a curse or a blessing in the workplace. When you work with people you love, it's one thing. But how are you supposed to get any work done when your colleagues are irritating you, offending you, distracting you, coming in late, leaving early, talking loudly on the phone, procrastinating or coming to your desk to gossip? If you find that you want to tear your hair out at the end of each day because of your colleagues, it might be time to look for more tolerable people.
2. You hate going to work.When Sunday night rolls around, are you dreading going into the office the next morning? As soon as you arrive on Monday morning, are you already thinking about Friday at 5 p.m.? Aall of us have had to go to a job that we hate at least once, and if you haven't -- you're the exception, not the rule (not to mention extremely lucky). When you're spending 40+ hours at work, the last thing you want is to hate every second you're there. If you do, it might be time to start thinking about your next career move.
3. You're bored.Most people like to feel challenged at work. If your work has started to seem too easy or repetitive, it's a sign that you need more responsibility or extra a change in roles. But, don't confuse boredom with slacking off. There's a vast difference between watching YouTube videos all day long with work piling up next to you and watching YouTube videos all day long because you've completed all there is to do.
4. The company -- or your job -- is in trouble.It's no secret that many companies are still struggling as a result of the economy. There continue to be layoffs and budget cuts. While we don't suggest quitting your job in a panic without having some sort of plan as to what your next step is, we do think you should pay attention to what's going on at your company. If you're concerned about the state of your job or the company, approach your manager with any concerns before taking other actions.
5. You don't feel at home.Sometimes we forget how important it is to feel comfortable at work -- that is, until we don't. If competition seems far from friendly, your colleagues steal your ideas, your ethics or values conflict with the company, or even if your casual style clashes with the buttoned-up policies of management, you might try to find a company where you feel more at home.
6. You can't stand your boss.Just because someone is a manager or boss doesn't give him free reign to be stupid. Whether you realize it or not, your relationship with your boss has a huge impact on your overall professional happiness and success. After all, even the best job can be terrible if your boss is lousy. If you don't see eye-to-eye or your manager is untrustworthy or unwilling to help you succeed, it might be time to look for a new job -- with a new supervisor.
7. Your career is at a standstill.Maybe you've been doing the same job for several years and you're ready for more responsibility. Maybe you've lost your passion for what you used to love. Maybe you work at a company where there's no other role for you than the one you're currently in. Start by talking to your boss about taking on more work, or trying different tasks. Express to him or her that you want to continue to develop your skills and reach your goals. If no alternatives are available, it might be time to start looking around.
8. You're not valued.Recognition is important -- you need to feel as though you're making a contribution and like other people will give you credit for your successes. Is your company doing anything to reward your efforts? Do you get bonuses, perks or positive feedback? If your boss has never heard of positive reinforcement, it might be time to find a company that will value your talent.
9. Your work environment sucks.State of the economy aside, every job and every company experiences highs and lows. It doesn't take a psychiatrist to know that working in place with negative energy or low morale is draining on even the happiest soul. If you find that you're always feeling stressed out, depressed or having a negative attitude, it might be time to explore more positive options.
10. You're exhausted.Everyone says they're stressed. But some people are really stressed. Too many projects and not enough help equal a heavy workload and job burnout. We don't advise quitting when the going gets tough once in a while -- let's be honest, everyone has to take one for the team at some point. But, if there's no end or reprieve in sight, do yourself (and your sanity) a favour and see what else is out there

Thakazhi's grandson set for film debut

Doctor turned filmmaker Raj Nair, who is legendary Malayalam writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's grandson, says he is looking forward to the release of 'Punyam Aham', his first full-length feature film.

Nair, who works as a professor in Oral Medicine in Australia, says he is racing against time to tie the last loose ends of his film, which releases Friday.

'All my leave is over and I am on loss of pay because I was here for the shooting of my film and for the post-production five times last year. I am leaving Sunday and before that my film would be released,'.

His first love has always been films and if not for his grandfather, the writer of the award winning 'Chemmeen', he would have headed straight to the film institute in Pune to do a course in cinematography after he graduated in dentistry from Manipal in Karnataka.

Thakazhi was a Jnanpith awardee and the film adaptation of his 'Chemmeen' won the National Award for the best film in 1964.

In 2004, Nair made a feature length docu-drama about his grandmother called 'Kazhchavasthukkal' (The Exhibits). It had garnered critical acclaim and was shown at several places outside the country.

'Punyam Aham' is about a son's journey to learn more about his father and popular actor Prithviraj plays the lead role along with Samvrutha Sunil.

The films also stars veterans like Nedumudi Venu, K.P.A.C. Lalitha and M.R. Gopakumar, among others.

'Punyam Aham' is produced under the banner of Mirabilia Films and the film's music has been composed by Isaac Thomas Kottukappilly.

But why isn't Nair staying on to see the audience's reaction to his film?

'I am of course happy with my film and now it is for others to judge. It is immaterial that I am not here when the film is being released. If it brings in the audience I will be able to know when I check my bank account,' Nair said.

The director added that the film would also be released with English sub-titles and would be screened in Australia as well.

How to Flirt with a Guy

Flirting is friendly, light-hearted fun, and a compliment to one another. Although often a courting ritual, it does not have to be sexual and abounds in business too.

Decide beforehand what you want. Are you flirting with this person for fun, or are you flirting with intent? In other words, do you see this as a fleeting encounter or would you like it to be the start of something more serious?

Sometimes guys misinterpret being friendly with being sexually interested in them. Be aware of this and take care to not mislead.

Anyone can flirt successfully, regardless of your age and looks. If you feel shy or uncomfortable, especially with cute guys, these tips show you how. Try out those which feel comfortable and adapt or ignore those which do not.

Start by making the most of your appearance. It might be shallow, but men are visual creatures, strongly affected by what they see. Do not go overboard by wearing skimpy clothes. If you want to show some skin, expose legs OR boobs, not both. Make sure you and your hair are clean, you smell good, wear light makeup and clothes which flatter your body shape. When you look good, you feel confident and exude positive energy.

Flirting is mostly about attitude. Carrying yourself well with a straight back, relaxed shoulders and tummy pulled in, projects confidence and enhances your appearance by making you look taller and slimmer.

Use body language to seem approachable. If you like someone, face him, sit or stand upright without being stiff, uncross your arms, make lots of eye contact and smile often. A smile showing your teeth and a relaxed face is the simplest way of telling someone you like them.

If you catch someone checking you out from across the room, instead of instinctively glancing away, return his gaze and smile. Lingering eye contact has an amazing effect. A word of caution though; overdo it and you come across as creepy. Hold his gaze for a second or two, turn away with a hint of a smile, then lock eyes again.

When two strangers talk, they stand three or four feet apart with their bodies angled slightly away from each other. When chatting to someone whose company you enjoy, stand a little closer and face him square on. When seated, cross your legs so your knees point towards him, gently swing your foot back and forth in his direction and if your shoes lend themselves to dangling slightly, do so with your swinging foot.

Expose the palms of your hand and inner wrist to him.

Wink at him. Tease him playfully. Even if things are not quite perfect, relax, laugh and have fun. That in itself is seductive.

Get him fired up by challenging him to a competitive something — maybe a game of squash, a bet or anything involving one-on-one activity.

If he is with his friends, chat with them too so he sees you as desirable, but flirt only with him.

Play with your hair while you talk to him. Depending on the style and how long your hair is, run your hands through it, twirl it or tuck it behind your ears.

When chatting with a guy you really like, give him a thrill by glancing at his lips and then the base of his neck before making eye contact again.

If you get the feeling he may be attracted to you, touch him quickly and lightly. It creates intimacy and is easier for the woman to initiate early in the relationship. But do it naturally, for example, brush imaginary fluff off his shoulder, straighten his tie, let your shoulders touch as you both look at something or ride in the elevator, lean forward and casually touch his hand or arm while you chat and laugh, or jokingly shove him.

Be sweet, kind, friendly and positive and do not gossip, whine, continually complain, act tough, be pushy or bitchy. If you feel shy, do not hide it. Guys sometimes like vulnerable.

Having said that, portraying an image of someone you are not, will backfire dismally. Be proud of who you are but if you are pushy, for example, you might want to play it down a tad.

Guys love talking about themselves and find girls interested in them attractive. Ask open-ended questions, listen well, get him to talk about himself by saying, “Gosh, I did not know that,” or something similar which fits your personality and without degrading yourself by acting like an unintelligent bimbo.

Making other people feel important and interesting is key to all human relationships. To some extent everyone is inwardly insecure and you naturally gravitate toward those who take an interest in you.

Intersperse your conversation with snippets of what you think or something about yourself. But refrain from droning on about yourself; it is a huge turnoff. Neither should you share too much too soon.

Pause often to encourage him to speak. Think of conversation as a game of ping-pong where you each take turns hitting the ball. It also gives you a chance to gauge how things are going.

When you talk, speed up or slow down your speech to match his. Radiate charisma by talking confidently and enthusiastically about something he finds interesting or about an experience you shared. Entertaining humor, smiling and laughter is always welcome.

Compliment him without gushing. Be sincere and specific, for example, “I like your shirt, the blue shows off your eyes.” The fact you noticed is flattering to him, without you coming across as needy or desperate.

Accept his compliments gracefully, “Thank you, I like this dress too.”

Remember things he mentions and ask about them later. For example, if he told you about a presentation he has to give, when next you see him, ask him, “How did your presentation go?”

Although guys say they do not like games, they respond to them. Sometimes be unavailable and only return his call the next day. Let him wonder what you were doing. Men are hard-wired to hunt and if he has to chase you down, somehow you seem more valuable and he treats you better.

If you want to step things up, use sexual innuendo in your conversation. Because this is powerful, be careful; you do not want to be called a tease or come across as slutty. Stroking your throat or the stem of a glass or playing with a chain that points down to your cleavage may be equally suggestive, but use your discretion.

Never let him do anything to you which makes you feel uncomfortable.

Constantly watch his reactions and look for clues. If at any time he looks around, angles his body away from you, starts shifting his feet, or seems disinterested in you, back off, politely excuse yourself and move on. There are loads of guys out there.

Practise flirting everywhere: at the gas station, the library, the supermarket, the mall, while waiting in line at Starbucks. Liven up your day by making eye contact and smiling briefly at strangers. Part of flirting is being a good conversationalist, and that skill helps you in every aspect of your life — with your family, friends, boss and potential men in your life.