06 September, 2013

Indian author Sushmita Banerjee killed in Afghanistan by Taliban

Indian author Sushmita Banerjee was killed by the Taliban late on Wednesday. While the reason for the barbaric act was not given, Banerjee had possibly attracted the ire of the fundamentalist outfit for her ceaseless social work, especially for women's healthcare and upliftment.

Forty-nine-year-old Banerjee, according to reports, was dragged out of her house in Kharana in Paktita province before being shot dead by the turbaned militants. The execution signals the portent of things to come before the impending withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan where deadly attacks and other forms of atrocities against women have spiralled in the past few months.

Miss Diva 2013: Manasi Moghe wins the title

The winners of the Miss Diva 2013 were declared at a star-studded event at Westin Mumbai Garden City, Mumbai on Thursday evening.

The winners are Manasi Moghe (Miss Diva 2013), Gurleen Grewal (Miss Diva 2013 1st runner-up), Srishti Rana (Miss Diva 2013 2nd runner-up).

DGP Sanjeev Dayal to be appointed ITBP chief; hectic lobbying on for Mumbai police chief's post

High-level changes are on the cards in the Indian Police Service (IPS) following the appointment of director-general of police (DGP) Sanjeev Dayal, on deputation to the Centre, as Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) head.

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde told TOI on Thursday that his ministry had approved the appointment and an order will be issued in a day or two.

Shinde has been at the receiving end for non-consideration of senior IPS officers from Maharashtra on deputation to the Centre.

All the posts were being filled by either officers from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, even though many key officials from Maharashtra were prepared to take up the assignments.

But a veteran bureaucrat said that IPS and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from Maharashtra are reluctant to take up assignments in New Delhi, "so it is wrong to blame the home minister

Paes-Stepanek storm into US Open doubles final

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek stunned top seeded and hot favourite pair of Mike and Bob Bryan, who were chasing a rare Calendar Grand Slam, in a gripping contest to storm into the US Open men's doubles final on Thursday.

The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair denied the Bryans a piece of history with their 3-6 6-3 6-4 win as the American twins were trying to become first doubles team since 1951 to collect all four Grand Slam titles in the same year.

Inducted Rohan for his open mind, NR Narayana Murthy says

Infosys chairman NR Narayana Murthy said he had asked his son Rohan Murty to join his office because he wanted someone with an open mind.

"I wanted someone with an open mind, somebody who brought the finest ideas in computer science, somebody who has distinguished himself as a stellar academician to come and help me in improving our software delivery effectiveness. That is why I invited Dr Rohan Murty to come and join my office in terms of delivery effectiveness," Murthy told a global investor conference organized by brokerage house Motilal Oswal on Tuesday, transcripts of which are available on the company website.

Micromax Canvas Doodle 2 review: As good as it gets

Micromax is on a roll. According to latest figures by IDC, a research firm, the Indian phone vendor is number two in our smartphone market. And it is growing. Micromax wants to beat Samsung to become the top smartphone company in India. So, how is it going to do that?

The company believes that devices like Canvas 4 or Canvas Doodle 2 are going to help it beat the market leader. Only future will reveal whether Micromax succeeds or not in its lofty goal. But today we can tell you more about Doodle 2, its capabilities, its strengths, its flaws and whether you should buy it or not.

Ritu Rani to lead Indian women's hockey team in Asia Cup

Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 21 to 27.

"Hockey India Selectors BP Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood, Coach I S Gill and Scientific Advisor Matthew Tredrea alongwith Government Observer Harbinder Singh selected the 18 players and 6 standbys during the trials conducted in Patiala on August 30 and 31," HI said in a statement.

Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another mid-fielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom (88 caps) as the vice-captain.

The team's training camp is has been underway in Patiala since August 8 as final preparations for the tournament. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16.

India are placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B.

Sardar Singh joins top European club

Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh has been signed by current European Hockey League (EHL) champions HC Bloemendaal for the upcoming season. Founded in 1895, Bloemendaal is one of the oldest field hockey teams in The Netherlands. Hockey India (HI) brokered the deal with the Dutch club on behalf of Sardar. The star player will be seen in action for the club latest by next month. Sardar will be paid 50,000 euros for one season (approx 45 lakhs), which is more than what he got in the Hockey India League auction.