IPL 5: Sourav Ganguly step down as Pune captain?

Pune: The Pune Warriors management in all likelihood will have a brainstorming team meeting on the eve of their 14th round IPL clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in order to decide Sourav Ganguly's fate during the remainder of the tournament.

The bone of contention will be whether Ganguly, who has gone through a torrid time both as a batsman as well as a skipper, will sit out of last three encounters of Warriors. (Read: Is Sourav Ganguly not suited for T20 format?)

Team sources said the management wants the former India captain to take a call on his future in the remaining three matches.

"If Ganguly himself offers to step down from captaincy and decides to sit out for the remaining three games, the owners will certainly be only too happy to accomodate. The general feeling is that, they have lost with Ganguly at helm and with new players, it can't get worse," a senior IPL official in the know of things said. (Read:  Ganguly is blocking a youngster's place: Bedi)

In case Ganguly doesn't play, there is a possibility that Aussie Michael Clarke or find-of-the-season Steve Smith will lead the side.

Having lost nine out of their 13 matches under his captaincy, which has come under scanner for some debatable team selections, Ganguly's own batting form has also deserted him in this edition.

With 261 runs from 13 games at a strike-rate of shade over 100 and fielding which is atleast a few notches below the standard set in a competition like IPL, the soon-to-be 40 Ganguly has struggled to fit himself to demands of the shortest version.

"The Warriors management may be resorting to a "wait and watch" policy as their officials are finding it difficult to go up and confront Ganguly over his team selections," the official added.

Some of the decisions made by Ganguly which have come under scanner include Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal not getting a single game despite being the top-scorer during Asia Cup with four back-to-back half centuries. Also T20 specialist Alphonso Thomas being repeatedly ignored in favour of West Indian Marlon Samuels who did precious little with the bat or ball after first three games.

India international Rahul Sharma got dumped after being clobbered for five consecutive sixes but the feeling among the domestic players is how and why likes of Rahul and Manish Pandey are getting repeatedly ignored to favour likes of Mithun Manhas who is not known to finish off games.

Last but not the least is Ganguly's own form. Whether at the top or in the middle-order, one of India's finest captain looked totally out of sorts having played lot of dot balls in all the matches.

It all depends on whether an honourable exit route could be worked out for this ageing stalwart who in his prime has given a lot to Indian cricket.

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Posted in: cricinfo,dd vs dc,dhoni,facebook,ipl

Introducing Bajaj Auto’s Brand New…Car || Bajaj Auto unveils low-cost four-wheeler !!!

Sajjad Hussain/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesRajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, poses with the new RE60, the company’s newly-launched ultra-low-cost car.

India has a new ultra-cheap, small car.

Well, sort of.

The company that introduced it on Tuesday, Bajaj Auto, best known for making motorcycles and three-wheeled rickshaws, doesn’t even call its newest product, the RE60, a car, preferring the generic term “four wheeler.” Executives say they don’t plan to market it to average consumers.

Instead, they are aiming for drivers of rickshaws, which operate as short-distance taxis in India, by pitching them impressive new features like seat belts, doors and a hard top.

The RE60 was supposed to be more.

It was anticipated as Bajaj’s answer to the Tata Nano, which its maker Tata Motors introduced in 2009 and billed as a modern-day people’s car that would bring mobility to India’s masses at a price tag of $2,500. But one analyst described it as an “upgraded rickshaw” and said it would pose no challenge to the Nano, which itself has attracted only a fraction of the buyers once anticipated because of production delays and safety concerns.

“After seeing the RE60, you realize what a phenomenal achievement the Nano is,” said the analyst, Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of AutoCar India, a trade publication. “It is nowhere near a full-sized car which the Nano is. Clearly it’s just not got the sophistication of the Nano.”

But executives from Bajaj suggest that was essentially the point – to make the best vehicle possible and not stretch to produce an engineering marvel that might not work in real-life conditions.

“At Bajaj Auto, we believe the people of this planet deserve much better, much faster,” Rajiv Bajaj, the managing director of the company said in a statement, in what appeared to be a not-so-subtle dig at the Nano. “We, therefore, decided to focus our efforts on developing vehicles powered by engines using available natural resources and infrastructure.”

Fitted with a one-cylinder, 200cc engine, Bajaj said the RE60 would deliver 35 kilometers per liter, or 82 miles per gallon, and have a top speed of 70 kilometers per hour, or 43 miles per hour. Instead of rolling down, its windows will fold out. The company did not say how much the RE60 would sell for when it hits showrooms later this year. A rickshaw today costs about 120,000 rupees, or $2,200, Mr. Sorabjee said.

At a press conference in New Delhi ahead of the Delhi Auto Expo, the country’s biggest car show, Mr. Bajaj told reporters he was happy to sell the RE60 to consumers but his main target market was the rickshaw drivers, who earn about $100 a month driving people short distances.

The RE60 is the result of several years of work by the company, which had an agreement to make a small car for the French car company Renault and the Japanese automobile maker Nissan. Mr. Bajaj told reporters that those companies would get to see the car later this week at the Auto Expo and had the right to “walk away” if they did not like it.

In New Delhi, several rickshaw drivers expressed ambivalence about the RE60 on Tuesday afternoon, saying they did not see much benefit in upgrading to four wheels. Suran Singh, who has been driving a rickshaw for 26 of his 40 years, said doors and a hard top would help keep out the cold during the winter but would make him too hot in the scorching Delhi summers.

“This is better to drive in hot weather because it’s cloth,’’ he said, pointing to the top of his green and yellow rickshaw. “In Delhi, it gets hot in the summer and we’ll be sweating it out in a car.’’

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Posted in: auto expo,bajaj,bajaj auto launches ultra low cost car re 60,facebook,tata nano

Shah Rukh Khan in Hindi remake of Tamil film 'Ramana' || SRK to Play Lead in Hindi Remake of 'Ramana' !!!!!!!!

Mumbai: Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who at the moment is writing his next directorial venture and will start casting for it in a month's time, has bought the remake rights of the 2002 Tamil blockbuster Ramana, with a strong anti-corruption message. And apparently, SRK has already given a nod to play lead in the project.

Interestingly, word is that several prominent producers were vying for the Bollywood rights of the film, especially now when anti-corruption statements have acquired a profound relevance, thanks to Anna Hazare.

Says a close friend of Bhansali, "After acquiring the rights of the Telugu filmVikramarkurdu which he has remade as Rowdy Rathod with its original director Prabhu Deva helming the Hindi remake, Sanjay was not really open to another South remake.

IBNLive

He did Rowdy... for the experience. But then someone recommended Ramana to him. When Sanjay saw the film, he was blown away. Made nine years ago, it is still as relevant. He had to acquire the remake rights and he had to get the director of the Tamil original to do it."

The film will be directed by A R Murugadoss, who is said to have already approached Shah Rukh Khan to play the lead. Murugadoss confirmed, "I will be directing the Hindi version of Ramana. Shah Rukh and I have talked about the film."

The original Ramana

Ramana featuring Vijaykanth in the lead and directed by the Ghajini maker Murugadoss was an all-time hit in Tamil. It was remade into Telugu with Chiranjeevi in the lead, and in Kannada as well.

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Posted in: facebook,igrice,predictions for 2012,samsungapps,skyrama

AIPMT 2012 || (Notification) AIPMT - 2012 | CBSE X, CBSE XII, AIEEE, AIPMT || All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination (AIPMT) - 2012!!!!!!!!

In compliance with the directive of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi, would be conducting the All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination, 2012. This entrance examination is being conducted exclusively for the 15% merit positions for the Medical/Dental Colleges of India as specified in the directive of the court and will be governed by the rules and regulations specified for the same by the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time.

PATTERN OF AIPMT 2012

(i) The entrance examination consists of: Preliminary Examination:
The Preliminary Examination would consist of one paper containing 200 objective type questions (four options with single correct answer) from Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology) to be answered on the specially designed machine-gradable sheet using Ball Point Pen only. The duration of paper would be 3 hours.

Final Examination: (Only for those who qualify in the Preliminary Examination). The Final Examination would consist of one paper containing 120 objective type questions (four options with single correct answer) from Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany & Zoology) to be answered on the specially designed machine-gradable sheet using Ball Point Pen only. The duration of paper would be 3 hours.

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Posted in: 2012 predictions,aieee,AIPMT 2012,cet,facebook

IIT-Delhi student gets job in Facebook @ 65 lakh !!!!!!!!

New Delhi: It seems to be a high flying achievement for the IIT student, this time well known social networking site Facebook has appointed Ankur Dahiya.

Twenty one-year-old student, Ankur Dahiya was the student of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi) and belongs to Rohtak.

Company has hired him on a package of Rs. 65 lakh. For the first time Facebook has hired a name from IIT-Delhi. 

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Posted in: Ankur Dahiya,Delhi,facebook,IIT,news

Google Chrome 10 review !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recently I set up my friends computer who pretty much uses his home computer for a bit of gaming but mainly Facebook, I thought I would install a couple of Chrome extensions for him and I must say that he was very impressed with two of them, therefore I thought I would share these with you.

Firstly to use these extensions you must have Google Chrome installed, some people are unsure whether or not to install an alternative to Internet Explorer or Safari, however it in my opinion is faster, more secure and more intuitive than Microsoft’s and Apple’s attempts. You can download and install Google Chromehere, it won’t bite! (If you do not like Chrome you can easily uninstall it).

If you are unfamiliar with what extensions do they are basically small apps which integrate with your web browser, today we will introduce you to two Google Chrome extensions which are great if you use Facebook on a regular basis, these are: Facebook Photo Zoom and Facebook for Google Chrome.

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Posted in: Chrome extensions,crome 10,extensions,facebook,google,google crome 10 review,HP Palm’s webOS Topaz tablet,news,Social Media,Technology

If Facebook reenters China, how will it compete!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rumors suggest Facebook will break back into China, but it's success there isn't guaranteed. These entrenched Chinese social networking sites have grown in Facebook's absence, and may give the western newcomer a run for its money.

Facebook has been blocked in China since 2009, when riots in the country’s Xinjiang region led to severe crackdowns on Internet use. Since then, statements from Chinese officials and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have hinted at the possibility of cooperation between the two, if a compromise between the nation’s overbearing censorship and Facebook’s “openness” can be reached.

Now it looks as though… something is going on. What exactly that may be is still up in the air, but numerous reports say Facebook is working with China to come up with a solution. According to Marbridge Consulting as well as a few blogs, a post on Sina Weibo from Hu Yan Ping, the founder of a Chinese market research firm claims that Facebook will be collaborating with Baidu to build an entirely new social networking site. Ping wrote, “Facebook really is about to enter China, the agreement is signed. A domestic website will work with Facebook to create a new site. This new site it not interlinked with Facebook.com. Will this live or die in China?”

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Posted in: cgossips,china,china facebook,facebook,facebook in china,If Facebook reenters China,Renren,Sina Weibo,Social Media,social networking,social networking sites,Tencent,twitter

MySpace sale negotiations begin next week; who’s buying it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a long time coming, but News Corp is finally getting MySpace off its hands. But who's taking it home...and why?

MySpace’s fate is decided: The former top dog of the social networking world has seen better days and will be sold to the highest bidder. Its chapter as an independent site is quickly coming to a close, as AllThingsDigital claims this coming week it will open itself up for sale negotiations. Despite its extremely depressing financial history, there are a handful of companies interested in MySpace, and it could be sold within two weeks time. So who’s at the front of the ring, wildly throwing money to bring MySpace home? Well, no one, but here’s who is thinking about acquiring the social network of yesterday, and why they may want it.

Chris DeWolfe

DeWolfe is the founder of MySpace, and back in its glory days (if–for some of us–you remember middle school) it was quite the Internet sensation. Sure Tom – we all remember Tom! – Anderson was the better known half of the site’s early days. DeWolfe served as CEO and was instrumental in its creation, and he was behind the company’s business side until 2009, when he stepped down. He was largely responsible for MySpace TV and MySpace Impact, as well as its music and film platforms – the sole products it’s surviving on these days.

According to Reuters, DeWolfe–as well as MySpace’s current management team–are interested in retaking the site. From the sounds of it, this would more or less be one final attempt to eke something out of the site and spin it off into something…else. But this just seems like it would add insult to injury. It’s time to let go and see what else MySpace can become. Or let it fade into oblivion, either one.

Tencent

Reuters also says Chinese Internet site Tencent is one of the interested parties. Tencent is one of the largest Internet companies in the world that just happens to already have a thriving social networking enterprise of its own called Qzone. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the company spin MySpace into something mildly successful in China. Of course it also signals that the site has an interest in US properties and gearing a product for American audiences.

Vevo

The most popular contender is music video site Vevo. It seems like the most natural place MySpace could succeed in, finally capitalizing on the site overhaul that made it into an entertainment-focused platform. There’s been talk about a joint venture that would spin out of the deal, but Vevo’s been cagey when it comes to committing. MySpace has had a difficult transition from being driven by user profiles and engagement to its new music and video angle, and the merger could be the best opportunity for the site to realize some of this potential. While this solution could be the best option for seeing MySpace live on, it might not be the most profitable.

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Posted in: facebook,mergers and acquisitions,MySpace,News Corp,Social Media,social networking,social networking site,Tencent,Vevo

Google has a mole at Twitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a little outlandish to think Google has a spy infiltrating Twitter, but here's our take on the Google-Twitter fiasco.

This is one we tried to ignore for as long as possible, but it just won’t quite go away. Yesterday, TechCrunch editor Michael Arrington lodged a major claim that Google had a mole working at Twitter. According to Arrington, “Multiple sources close to Twitter have said that someone with access to Twitter’s most confidential information, such as who they are interviewing for key executive spots, may be leaking that information directly to Google.”

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Posted in: +1,facebook,google,google 2011,Google has a mole at Twitter,google partnership with twitter,Google social,Michael Arrington,news,rumour on google and twitter,twitter

Facebook Launches New Design for Pages

It’s never a small deal when Facebook makes a change to the way its 500+ million subscribers deal with their obsession.  But today, it’s rolled out a very nice update to the layout of Facebook Pages – the new design mirrors the new Profile design they launched last December.We think it’s pretty cool.  Images now show up at the top of the wall, and navigation buttons are on the left, as people are now used to on their profiles.Another interesting change is that page administrators can toggle between their Page and personal identities.  I, for example, can post either as myself or as the Chitika page.

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Posted in: face book new design,facebook,Facebook Introduces New Relationship Status Options,latest facebook,new facebook,news

Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs may go to Facebook!!!!!!!!!!!!

The worlds of Washington and Palo Alto may soon mix with President Obama's former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs rumored to be considering a job with Facebook.

Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs may soon be headed to Facebook as a senior communications official for the social network giant, reports The New York Times‘ Dealbook blog. The rumored high-profile hiring comes via “people briefed on the negotiations,” and has been confirmed by neither Facebook nor Gibbs.

The alleged conversations between Gibbs’ camp and Facebook come prior to a public offering by Facebook that is said to be planned for 2012. Gibbs, who served under President Obama for two years before resigning in February, may opt to wait to jump into the private sector, and instead help build up Obama’s re-election campaign, sources say.

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Posted in: barack obama,facebook,Mark Zuckerberg,news,Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs may go to Facebook,Palo Alto,politics,President Obama,Press Secretary,public offering,Robert Gibbs,washington

A NEW SOLID PUNTCH GADGET FOR FACEBOOK USERS!!!!!!!

Startup PunchTab is debuting a an iPhone app,SolidPunch, today as a rewards platform for your Facebook friends. SolidPunch by PunchTab lets you reward your Facebook friends for all the favors they do for you.

You sign into the app via Facebook Connect and the app 

will automatically populate your friends. You can then punch your friends when they do you a favor. Did a friend buy you lunch? You can give them a punch. Similar to the way your Subway Club Card works, your friends earn punches. When they accumulate, 6 punches you can send them a reward or coupon from the PunchTab catalog for free (PunchTab makes money when a friend uses the coupon to buy an item). And like every startup launching this week, PunchTab will be offering Austin-specific rewards for SolidPunch users.

PunchTab’s website allows publishers to give reward points to users who check in to your site or blog every day.

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Posted in: bolly news,face book users,facebook,Facebook Introduces New Relationship Status Options,new gadgets for face book users,solid puntch feature for facebook,twister

Facebook Introduces New Relationship Status Options

In addition to the existing options of Single, In a relationship, Engaged, Married, It’s complicated, In an open relationship, Widowed, Separated and Divorced – or blank, Facebook has introduced two new relationship status categories: “In a domestic partnership” and “In a civil union”.

“This has been a highly requested feature from users. We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on Facebook,” a Facebook rep told Mashable.

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Posted in: books,face,facebook,Facebook Introduces New Relationship Status Options,news,social networking sites