Pune, March 13 — Month after Pune blast that killed 17 people, the city police commissioner Satyapal Singh charged the staff and customers of the German Bakery on Saturday with “utter negligence”. Singh said the bag having the bomb for blast was lying in the restaurant unnoticed for more than 90 minutes.

Singh was addressing a rally of thousand students at Azad campus in Pune organised by the Sakal Social Foundation. He said, “It was not a few minutes or 10-15 minutes, more than one-and-half hours and yet nobody bothered to notice it… This is sheer carelessness on the part of the people.”

The police commissioner also mentioned that the presence of the bag was noticed by a customer who informed the cashier, but he was “too busy” in his work to even take note of it or bother to inform the police.

He said, “Barely 20 minutes later, the bomb exploded there. I am sure that if the German Bakery staff and its patrons had exercised more awareness, the blast could have been prevented and so many innocent lives could have been saved.”

K.P. Raghuvanshi, the chief of State Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) chief, said the investigations are in progress and they are in hope to crack the case soon.

He said, “We are examining it from all possible angles, nothing is being ruled out. But I will not speculate on whom we suspect. As soon as we are through, it (details) shall be made public.”

Till now more than 100 suspects have been questioned in the case and has also been allowed to go.

Washington, March 13 — Top experts informed American lawmakers the Lashkar-e-Taiba would continue to pose threat to western world and India too.

Senior associate at the prestigious Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ashley J Tellis on Thursday told to US lawmakers at a congressional hearing: “There is no doubt in my mind that we have to find ways to resolve the issues relating to Kashmir. But I think resolving Kashmir is not going to solve the problems relating to LeT.”

“Resolving the Kashmir problem by itself is not going to remove this threat because the aim of these groups is to leverage themselves into a position of power inside Pakistan and to take control,” said eminent Pakistani scholar, Shuza Nawaz, Director, South Asia Centre, the Atlantic Council of the United States.

Both Nawaz and Tellis were responding to concerns of the US Congressmen of the topic if the Lashkar would abandon terrorism if Kashmir dispute was resolved. ISI initially popped up the LeT for specific purpose of targeting Kashmir and India in particular.

In the hearing Tellis said, “I always find it interesting that the people conducting the murder and mayhem (in the Valley) today are not Kashmiri. The people who actually are deprived of all their political rights, they are not conducting the murder and mayhem.”

He also mentioned further, “The murder and mayhem is being conducted by groups that have absolutely no connections to Kashmir. To my mind that is story, the fact that this is a group that has operations in 21 countries, that has an ideology that is completely anti-western, that is opposed to modernity and secularism and all the kinds of values that we take for granted. This group is not going to be satisfied by dealing with the issue of Kashmir.”

Srinagar, March 13: After 20 long years Kashmir will again be able to connect with Pakistan over phone links, which were once snapped for security reasons in the wake of outbreak of terrorists. The finance minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that five lines would initially operational by the government.

“It will start anytime. This has been agreed in principle by the two countries and the announcement would be made soon,” the minister said.

During his budget speech the finance minister confirmed that government would initially reopen the phone links, which was closed due to security reasons.

The biggest gainers would be the families who parted away by the border separation. The businessmen who have strong association with Pakistan will also be benefited with it. However, people from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) have no restrictions on phone communication.

Fifty-eight years after Partition, the Line of Control was thrown open for restricted travel on April 7, 2005. Trading relations between the two parts of Kashmir resumed on October 21, 2008, which was seen as a concession to traders on the Indian side who had forcibly tried to open a route during the Amarnath land agitation when protesters in Jammu enforced an economic blockade on the Valley. Traders have found difficult for their business activities due to phone restrictions.

A new trade formula is under process to strengthen the trade relationship between two countries. A new committee has been formed with representatives from trade and commerce. Opening the telephone links is one of the parts of this process.

“Proposals have been sent to the Centre for approval and allocation of funds to create infrastructure to promote trade across LoC,” he said.

A new policy on trade across the LoC is under formulation, for which a committee has been formed with representatives from trade and commerce. Opening the telephone link is a part of the effort.

“Proposals have been sent to the Centre for approval and allocation of funds to create infrastructure to promote trade across LoC,” he said.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it had been a long-pending demand. “This will help boost trade,” said Abdul Hamid Punjabi, senior vice-president.

Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat first and scored 212/6 in 20 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar gave Mumbai a flying start with both of them taking on the likes of Shaun Tait and Kamran Khan.

Jayasuriya smashed three fours and a six before Amit Uniyal dismissed him. Dmitri Mascarenhas claimed Tendulkar for 17. Later on Saurabh Tiwary (53 from 33 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (55 from 33 balls) put on a healthy 5th wicket partnership of 110 runs to guide Mumbai Indians to their highest ever total in IPL.

Rajasthan started off on a low losing their opener Swapnil Asnodkar in the very first over. Naman Ojha and Graeme Smith followed him soon. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala’s dismissal in the 10th over added to their troubles.

Then came the danger man Yusuf Pathan who lashed eight sixes and nine fours in his 37-ball 100, fastest in any IPL, to give Rajasthan Royals some hope to claw back from a precarious 66-4. But an unfortunate run-out ended his spectacular knock before he could win the match for the Royals.

Dogra impressed with a 29-ball 41 and he was dismissed by a brilliant run out by Malinga, before the Mumbai bowlers denied any runs to clinch a narrow victory.

RR finished with a score of 208/7 in 20 overs, losing the thriller just by 4 runs. Yusuf Pathan was judged the Man of the Match for his brilliant knock.

Sebastian Vettel won the qualifying round with a blistering 1:54.101, shattering Ferrari’s hopes of all-red front row. The two Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa had to settle for 2nd and 3rd positions from the pole.

The other end of the starting grid will be occupied by Indian débutante Karun Chandhok who would have been pleased to drive his brand new HRT for the first time. After speculations whether he would even be able to take his new car on the track, Chandhok will start dead last. His team mate and legendary Ayrton Senna’s nephew, Bruno Senna, will start just ahead of him at 23rd position.

Lewis Hamilton did well in his McLaren to recover from a problem during the first practice session of the day to occupy the 4th position. Nico Rosberg who has had the fastest car for the Mercedes team all weekend will be 5th. The other Red Bull car will start 6th with Mark Webber on the wheel.

Michael Schumacher who is making a comeback with Mercedes will roll off 7th. Defending world champion Jenson Button will start 8th in his McLaren and Robert Kubica will follow him in his Renault in 9th position.

Force India’s Adrian Sutil did well to round up the top 10, while his team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi will start two places behind him at 11th position.

It comes as no surprise that the three new teams – Virgin Racing, Lotus F1 and HRT – occupy the bottom six positions.

Bareilly, March 13 — Curfew still clamped in many localities of Bareilly and more areas have also been brought under it as the situation in the city continued to be tense witnessing communal violence.

Official sources said, “After large-scale violence in which nearly 20 people, including an SP and some other policemen were injured, curfew has been extended to Subhash Nagar police station area. The situation is tense but under control.”

As many as five police station areas of Bareilly is now under curfew.

People were protesting against the release of Sunni cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan who was arrested on charges of inciting a mob that resulted in communal clashes. The protestors indulged in arson and brick-batting on Friday in Subhash Nagar and Sanjay Nagar localities.

The mob torched several vehicles and shops and also opened fire at many places in Bareilly. Heavy force in those areas have been deployed after this to avert any further trouble.

The sources added, “Fresh reinforcement is being sent to the trouble-hit areas of the city to control the situation.”

The police had used tear gas to control the mob in the areas and also had fired rubber bullets.

Sources also said, “After Friday’s violence it has been decided not to relax curfew till situation normalises and to keep all educational institutes closed.”

Helicopter has been also provided by the government to police for aerial monitoring of the troubled areas.

Having witnessed marvellous opening and closing ceremonies in South Africa last year, expectations were high for this year’s opening ceremony. There were some top entertainers like Lionel Richie, Ali Campbell of UB40’s and Bjorn Again along with Bollywood’s very own Deepika Padukone.

Still the evening was not very impressive as neither UB40’s Ali Campbell nor Bjorn Again, the ABBA Revival team that swayed to ‘Dancing Girl’ managed to enthuse the crowd. More over, the DY Patil stadium wasn’t anywhere near filled to capacity initially.

Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone saved the day as she had everyone literally dancing to her tunes. Only Deepika managed to get the audience to jive while other entertainers failed to do so. Her unmistakable performance was full of energy, zest, elegance and verve.

A brief video collage depicting the ‘Journey of IPL’ with background score of ‘Jai Ho’ was a treat to watch. Hoola Hoop artists created the logos of the eight IPL teams juggling some LED glow sticks. It was followed by a breathtaking laser show.

But Sachin Tendulkar was the star of the opening ceremony as he managed to get the biggest cheer from the crowd when he signed on the MCC – Spirit of Cricket banner along with 7 other captains before the entertainment show kicked off.

The ceremony ended with a spectacular display of fireworks and the focus shifted to Cricket.

New Delhi, March 12 — India and Russia signed three civil nuclear field and other 16 pacts giving a fillip to their ties on Friday. The pact also included purchase of 29 MiG-29 fighters and also inking the revised agreement on Gorshkov aircraft carrier. This deal was stuck for 3 years over price.

Twelve atomic plants will be build by Russia under the agreements in civil nuclear field. Out of 12, six will be build in Kudankulam and the rest six in Haripur, West Bengal.

The agreements between India and Russia were signed during the day-long visit of Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister. Putin held comprehensive talks with counterpart Prime Minister Manmohan Singh aiming exploring of opportunities for further boost in the relationships of the two countries.

Both the Prime Ministers also discussed regional issues such as of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the context of terrorism.

MoU between NPCIL and Atomstroy Export was also signed on Nuclear Power for the construction of 3rd and 4th atomic plant in Kudankulum, Tamil Nadu.

During the visit of Putin, the revised agreement on Gorshkov aircraft carrier was also signed. Initially the deal was signed in 2004 at the cost of $1.5 billion. Later on the Russians demanded $2.9 billion.

However, the two have settled at $2.34 billion.

Mumbai, March 12 — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won opening match of IPL III beating defending champions Deccan Chargers by 11 runs. KKR scored 161 for 4 in 20 novers. Top scorer Angelo Mathews made 65 runs. Deccan Chargers made 150 runs for 7 in 20 overs.

Mathews and Shah put up an unbeaten century partnership for KKR with 68 not out and 58 not out respectively.

Mathews displayed spectacular five fours and four sixes in 46-ball innings and Shah struck three fours and three sixes in 46-ball that he played.

KKR Fall of Wickets:
1-0(Manoj Tiwary, 0.1 ov.),2-0(Sourav Ganguly, 0.4 ov.),3-31(Cheteshwar Pujara, 4.4 ov.),4-31(Brad Hodge, 5.1 ov.)

Deccan Chargers Fall of Wickets:
1-61(VVS Laxman, 5.5 ov.),2-99(Adam Gilchrist, 11.1 ov.),3-102(Herschelle Gibbs, 12.2 ov.),4-116(Andrew Symonds, 14.1 ov.),5-128(Rohit Sharma, 16.2 ov.),6-141(Anirudh Singh, 18.0 ov.),7-142(Chaminda Vaas , 18.3 ov.)

Deccan Chargers won the toss and elect to field.

Mumbai, March 12 — The wait ends for all the cricket lovers who are on the way with a laptop, or any other version of it. Now cricket fans can watch Indian Premier League live streaming on the go on YouTube across the world.

IPL is streamed live on YouTube. Every cricket frenzy and even every internet savvy is excited about the IPL matches.

It is learned that Bharti Airtel has bagged the official Broadband Sponsor of Cricket title for IPL season III on YouTube.

It is announced that Airtel will offer all its subscribers to choose for free upgrade to 2Mbpsbroadband services.

The US viewers will get delayed service on YouTube. IPL coverage will be streamed 15 minutes after the match ends. On-demand access of all the 60 matches of 43-day tournament will also be available there.

The IPL matches’ revenue and talent wise it now being compared to giant leagues like the English Premiership. The 20-over format of the game is perfectly suiting casual watchers of the game.

With the live matches of IPL Google may move into the live-sports arena and it may also help the giant to convert this loss-making property into a revenue model. The deal of IPL could give a welcome boost in terms of advertising on YouTube.