I don't invite media to follow me on temple visits: Big B

MUMBAI: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he cannot prevent the media from making his temple visits look like a public spectacle.

Bachchan said he never invited mediapersons to follow him during his rituals. "My religiosity is my democratic prerogative in a free society. No one has the right to question it or to paint adverse malicious comments," Bachchan wrote on his blog.

The actor was responding to bloggers who posted comments wanting to know what he asks from Gods and whether there is a need to make a public spectacle of it.

Bachchan accompanied by his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya walked bare foot to Siddhivinayak temple early Tuesday morning to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh.

The Big B said he visited the temple to seek strength and protection and to exist with honour and grace.

The actor also denied that special treatment is meted out to him and his family during such visits.

"The portals of divine presence belong to no particular individual. HE is the only VIP. In HIS presence, all are equal. I deny any special treatment meted out to us. For better people management, certain locations have intricate procedures in place. If it is accessible to all and if I fall in any one legally programmed category, I shall avail it. My presence there is that of a devotee; as one with the others," he said.

Bachchan said he is disturbed, immensely upset and angry by the "anti-secular" comments made by certain elements on the blog.

"I shall not mention them by name but they must know that they will never be entertained or acknowledged here. They are ignorant and wrong in their assessment and accusations," he added.

Saif and I are madly in love: Kareena Kapoor

With Bebo, there is a connection. I keep wondering what the Kapoor gal is up to. She's zero-size-this-zerosize-that. She's with Saif Ali Khan here, there, everywhere. She's one of the very few heroines whose name can sell a movie project. And she's one of the very few heroines who can carry off a conversation, without the usual oooh-that's-so-off-the-record. So here's Kareena Kapoor, in Melbourne, unedited, in conversation with Khalid Mohamed.

And how are we Beboo?
It's been Melbourne, Melbourne, Melbourne, it's been 25 days here. I won't be back in Bombay till August. Just imagine..

Imagine!
"Mum and Saif are always sms'ing each other. They get along famously."
In between I go to the IIFA at Bangkok, I'm performing there.

IIFA and you? Isn't a certain family associated with these awards?
Family? Ya but so, Khaled, you know how professional I am.

It's Khalid. And I don't know how professional you are.
See, I'm performing Khaled. Jab We Met is one of the films of the year, it has been nominated. I've been invited. I've been paid a hefty sum.

Stop this hefty business. Would you do anything for money, girl?
What're you saying Khaaals? No way. It's because of Jab We Met, and this year I've been to all the award functions.

It's no national secret that the Bachchans refuse to do films with you.
If they choose not to do any films with me, I have also chosen not to do films with them. There have been offers which I didn't even consider.

My stand is if you're uncomfortable with me, fine. I'm no less uncomfortable with you.

Clap, clap. Tell me, what's with this zero-size figure of yours?
I've been hearing that now it's zero-point-fivecentimetre and stuff like that.

What's the latest scoop on your figure Beebz?
You're telling me. Why is my weight national news? Have I become the share market? The sensex? I'm being monitored, whether I've put on half a kilo or lost a quarter milligram.

See, I'd lost six kilos for Tashan.. the weight loss was showing on me. I changed my body type with yoga. It suited me then. I'm quite aware what to do and what not to do with my body .

Of late, I've gained some weight. So please let me be. Now, I'm 53 kilos which is perfect for my height.. 5' 5".

Yeah.. umm.. but you were looking quite scrawny earlier.
Yeah ya, I had become very thin. So, I've gained a kilo and a half. I'm into Thai food, desserts, "Why is my weight national news? Have I become the share market? The sensex? I'm being monitored, whether I've put on half a kilo or lost a quarter milligram"

Chinese, I'm not dieting any more.. darling. I'm eating and exercising, I'm a healthy Kapoor.

Still in Tashan you were looking quite toothy at times because of the weight loss.
Et tu, Khaled? See if the film had clicked, then everyone would have gone wow-wow-wow. It didn't so.. but let me tell you that there's no size zero. Everyone should eat right, exercise right.

My size is that of a normal girl's – six to eight. But I'm being equated with a size that's meant only for 12 to 14-year-olds. How can I be a schoolgirl all over again?

You had become anorexic, my dear.
Please, that's rubbish. I've never been anorexic. Can you imagine a girl like me fainting on the sets? Such stories are made up, really. I like my cakes, pastries, burgers. Yum.

Yum.
You should taste the Melbourne pastries.

(Suddenly very weight vigilante) Please! So do you gym as well as power yoga?
I don't gym any more. I'm into Ashthanga yoga.. which is done by Hollywood actresses too. It is done in heated circumstances.. no AC, no fans.. it leans up the muscles.

Eoow, I feel like a toothpick listening to all this. I think you were cuter with your puppy fat..
(Ominous silence)

Allright then, what's the status between Saif and you?
No change in status.. we're madly in love.

But then it's said that he's following you around like Mary's little lamb.
That's so unfair, really. I'm doing five films.. he believes in doing one at a time. So, we try to grab as much time as we can get together.

And marriage?
Marriage will happen for sure.. but after three years.

Do your parents approve?
Mum and Saif are always sms'ing each other. They get along famously. In fact, mum gets very irritated . when it's written that she has a problem with Saif. They're always on the phone, they love each other.

Uh, okay. Has Saif ever given her any present?
Not now, maybe later some day.

Has he given you any presents? You know cute, cute.
"If the Bachchans choose not to do films with me, I have also chosen not to do films with them."
(Pin-drop silence)

C..u..t..e?
Yes Khaals. The trouble with all you guys is that you still want me to be a l'il girl. I'm a young woman now. The way I look depends on the film I'm doing, no?

In Kambaqt Ishq, again I'll be lean-lean, in short-short skirts.

Eowww. At this point, tell me what Tashan was about.. maaan!
How can I answer that? I saw it.

And?
I liked Akshay Kumar.. and myself.. the bikini shot was quite cool.

Why a lime-green bikini, doll?
That's such an ancient colour. Mmm, I liked it Khaloo.. or should I say Khalida (ha ha ha)?

No yaar, Khaled is cooler.
Okay, Khaled.. the bikini colour went well with my eyes.. they're green. And see Tashan is special because that's where I met Saif.

If there had been no Tashan, there would have been no Saif. And you would have still been with Shahid Kapur?
Aaaaaaaah. I don't know.. maybe.

Chalo, talk is that Saif Ali Khan is smothering you with his presence.. you want jagah, space, room to breathe etc. Correct?
That's so much rubbish again. Like that lovely rumour about my nikaah with Saif. The TV channels went on and on about this nikaah.


Mmmm, Khaled, he keeps showering me with presents.. the best was a holiday in Maldives.

No diamonds-shiamonds?
Woh bhi diya hai.. clothes.. small trips.. but the most expensive thing that he has given me.. is his time.

Wah! And what gifts have you given him?
Myself.

Wah! Are his parents okay with you?
Yaaa.. why do you ask Khaals.. of course they're okay. We've had meals together.

So, in three years you'll be Bebo Begum.
Ha, ha! Khaals, Tumhare moonh mein ghee shakkar, let's hope so.

HuJI may be behind Jaipur blasts: Sources

JAIPUR: Terrorists struck for the first time in Jaipur triggering eight serial blasts in a span of 12 minutes on Tuesday evening in crowded market areas and near a Hanuman temple in the walled city leaving at least 60 killed and 200 injured. ( Watch )

"According to the information I have received 60 people have died and 150 have been injured," said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who rushed back to the State Capital from Jodhpur.

Bangladesh-based Harkut-ul-Jehadi Islami(HuJI) is suspected to be behind the blasts that has taken the state authorities by surprise, Home Ministry sources said.

The sources ruled out the use of RDX in the carefully orchestrated low-intensity explosions which were suspected to have been set off from cycles in areas including near Hawa Mahal which are frequented by domestic and foreign tourists.

The blasts rocked Tripolia Bazar, where large number of devotees turned up at a Hanuman temple, Johari Bazar, Manas Chowk, Badi Choupal and Choti Choupal-- all located within a two-km radius in the old city. IG(Jaipur) Pankaj Singh said in all there were eight blasts, a couple of them in the same area.

Police said one explosive was defused by bomb disposal squad near the Hanuman temple. Blood was splattered at the scene of the blasts which tossed some of the victims several feet up. The intelligence agencies have already started analysing STD and international calls made out of Jaipur during the last 48 hours.

China mounts cyber attacks on Indian sites

NEW DELHI: China’s cyber warfare army is marching on, and India is suffering silently. Over the past one and a half years, officials said, China has mounted almost daily attacks on Indian computer networks, both government and private, showing its intent and capability.

The sustained assault almost coincides with the history of the present political disquiet between the two countries.

According to senior government officials, these attacks are not isolated incidents of something so generic or basic as "hacking" — they are far more sophisticated and complete — and there is a method behind the madness.

Publicly, senior government officials, when questioned, take refuge under the argument that "hacking" is a routine activity and happens from many areas around the world. But privately, they acknowledge that the cyber warfare threat from China is more real than from other countries.

The core of the assault is that the Chinese are constantly scanning and mapping India’s official networks. This gives them a very good idea of not only the content but also of how to disable the networks or distract them during a conflict.

This, officials say, is China’s way of gaining "an asymmetrical advantage" over a potential adversary.

The big attacks that were sourced to China over the last few months included an attack on NIC (National Infomatics Centre), which was aimed at the National Security Council, and on the MEA.

Other government networks, said sources, are routinely targeted though they haven’t been disabled. A quiet effort is under way to set up defence mechanisms, but cyber warfare is yet to become a big component of India’s security doctrine. Dedicated teams of officials — all underpaid, of course — are involved in a daily deflection of attacks. But the real gap is that a retaliatory offensive system is yet to be created.

And it’s not difficult, said sources. Chinese networks are very porous — and India is an acknowledged IT giant!

There are three main weapons in use against Indian networks — BOTS, key loggers and mapping of networks. According to sources in the government, Chinese hackers are acknowledged experts in setting up BOTS. A BOT is a parasite program embedded in a network, which hijacks the network and makes other computers act according to its wishes, which, in turn, are controlled by "external" forces.

The controlled computers are known as "zombies" in the colourful language of cyber security, and are a key aspect in cyber warfare. According to official sources, there are close to 50,000 BOTS in India at present — and these are "operational" figures.

What is the danger? Simply put, the danger is that at the appointed time, these "external" controllers of BOTNETS will command the networks, through the zombies, to move them at will.

Exactly a year ago, Indian computer security experts got a glimpse of what could happen when a targeted attack against Estonia shut that country down — it was done by one million computers from different parts of the world — and many of them were from India! That, officials said, was executed by cyber terrorists from Russia, who are deemed to be more deadlier.

The point that officials are making is that there are internal networks in India that are controlled from outside — a sort of cyberspace fifth column. Hence, the need for a more aggressive strategy.

Key loggers is software that scans computers and their processes and data the moment you hit a key on the keyboard.

This information is immediately carried over to an external controller — so they know even when you change your password. Mapping or scanning networks is done as a prerequisite to modern cyber warfare tactics. MEA has a three-layered system of computer and network usage — only the most open communication is sent on something called "e-grams".

The more classified stuff uses old-economy methods — ironically, probably the most secure though a lot more time-consuming. The same is true of other critical areas of the government. But the real gap inside the national security establishment is one of understanding the true nature of the threat.

National security adviser M K Narayanan set up the National Technology Research Organization, which is also involved in assessing cyber security threats. But the cyber security forum of the National Security Council has become defunct after the US spy incident. This has scarred the Indian establishment so badly that it’s now frozen in its indecision. This has seriously hampered India’s decision-making process in cyber warfare.

Zero rentals a hit in Mumbai suburbs

MUMBAI: Zero rentals for residential flats is fast gaining popularity in the extended suburbs of Vasai-Virar. But there’s a catch. Pay a heavy deposit, which is returned when the leave-and-licence agreement comes to an end — provided the house is returned to the owner in its original condition.

Owners are encouraging zero rentals in return for "heavy deposits" to the tune of Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh so that they get back their flats in proper condition when the tenants leave.

A proper leave-and-licence agreement is drawn up and both the owner and the tenant do not need to contact each other until the agreement ends.

"Each time a tenant vacates (a flat), we have to spend a bomb on repairs. New tenants always insist on basic maintenance of the house. At times, the electricity bills are also kept pending. A deposit of mere Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 does no good," said Ashok Shelat, a Vasai resident who rented out his apartment for a deposit of Rs 3 lakh.

People looking for accommodation are increasingly getting attracted to the zero rent scheme. A jeweller in Nala Sopara paid Rs 1.5 lakh as deposit for a 1-bedroom-hall apartment. The jeweller will occupy the flat and use the furniture for a period of 11 months, after which the cash will be returned.

Says the jeweller, "I had the cash. By doing so, I saved the headache of paying rent every month and I am also happy that when the agreement expires, I will get back my entire money."

Real estate agents say that while tenants find the zero rental scheme attractive, they also take good care of the flats to avoid deductions in the deposit amount. Flat owners also find it more lucrative to reinvest the lumpsum deposit than collect a monthly rent, which is usually spent immediately.

"Rentals in this area range from around Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 and the deposits are between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000. A big cash deposit is re-invested far more wisely," said Kishore Pandey, a Virar-based real estate broker.

Estate agents say owners, too, prefer taking the cash in advance and then forgetting about the tenants for a year. "In case of heavy deposits, the flat owner does not mind renting out the accommodation for more than a year to the same party," said Sridhar Shetty, a real estate broker from Vasai.

Tenants, especially newly-weds and those with transferable jobs, are opting for the zero rent schemes.

"As we got a flat along with furniture, we could not resist (the offer). Though the owner wanted Rs 2.5 lakh as deposit, the zero rental scheme was attractive. So, we put together our savings and made the agreement," said Mukul Ankleswar, who got an apartment on zero rental basis in Evershine Nagar, Vasai (W).

Microsoft withdraws proposal to acquire Yahoo

SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft withdrew its proposal to acquire Yahoo, Microsoft CEO Stephen Ballmer said in a letter to Yahoo made public on Saturday.

"We continue to believe that our proposed acquisition made sense for Microsoft, Yahoo and the market as a whole," Ballmer said in the letter posted on the Microsoft website.

"Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly five billion dollars, Yahoo has not moved toward accepting our offer.

"After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal," said Ballmer.

In the letter, addressed to Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang, Ballmer said that in conversations earlier in the week "we conveyed our willingness to raise our offer to 33 dollars per share, reflecting again our belief in this collective opportunity.

"This increase would have added approximately another five billion dollars of value to your shareholders, compared to the current value of our initial offer. It also would have reflected a premium of over 70 percent compared to the price at which your stock closed on January 31.

"Yet it has proven insufficient, as your final position insisted on Microsoft paying yet another five billion dollars or more, or at least another four dollars per share above our 33 dollars offer.

"It is clear to me," Ballmer wrote, "that it is not sensible for Microsoft to take our offer directly to your shareholders."

US eats 5 times more than India per capita

Even as the world spins into a global food crisis, a popular theory — voiced by the likes of US President George W Bush and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice — is that the Chinese and Indians are responsible. The 'logic': due to zooming incomes, they are eating more, causing worldwide shortages. But is that true?

Due to their huge populations, countries like India and China may appear to consume gigantic amounts of food. But the real elephant in the room that nobody is willing to talk about is how much each person gets to eat. And the answer will shock many.

Total foodgrain consumption — wheat, rice, and all coarse grains like rye, barley etc — by each person in the US is over five times that of an Indian, according to figures released by the US Department of Agriculture for 2007.

Each Indian gets to eat about 178 kg of grain in a year, while a US citizen consumes 1,046 kg.

In per capita terms, US grain consumption is twice that of the European Union and thrice that of China. Grain consumption includes flour and by conversion to alcohol.

In fact, per capita grain consumption has increased in the US — so actually the Americans are eating more. In 2003, US per capita grain consumption was 946 kg per year which increased to 1046 kg last year.

By way of comparison, India’s per capita grain consumption has remained static over the same period. It’s not just grains. Milk consumption, in fluid form, is 78 kg per year for each person in the US, compared to 36 kg in India and 11 kg in China.

Vegetable oils consumption per person is 41 kg per year in US, while Indians are making do with just 11 kg per year. These are figures for liquid milk, not for cheese, butter, yogurt and milk powders which are consumed in huge proportion in the more advanced countries.

A significant proportion of India’s population is vegetarian, and so, this is all the food that they get, apart from vegetables and pulses. But the source of carbohydrates and fats is mainly derived from food grains and oils.

As far as meat consumption is concerned, the US leads the world in per capita consumption by a wide margin. Beef consumption, for example, is 42.6 kg per person per year, compared to a mere 1.6 kg in India and 5.9 kg in China. In case you are thinking that perhaps Indians might be going in for chicken, think again. In the US, 45.4 kg poultry meat is consumed every year by each person, compared to just 1.9 kg in India.

Pork consumption is negligible in India, while it is a major item elsewhere. In the European Union, 42.6 kg pork is consumed per person every year, while in the US, 29.7 kgs are consumed. Pork is a staple for Chinese, and so over 35 kg are consumed per person per year. And, we are not talking about various other types of meat, like turkey.
All these comparisons are for powerful economies, whether of the west or the east.

But the story would not be complete without mentioning the plight of Africa, where foodgrain consumption in 2007 was a mere 162 kg per year for each person, or about 445 grams per day. Don’t forget they are not getting any meat or milk products out there.

Perhaps, it is time to include the lifestyle choices of the West in the whole feverish debate on how to tackle the global food crisis.

These figures are collated by the US Department of Agriculture. US per capita grain consumption rose from 946 kg in 2003 to 1046 kg last year. India’s per capita consumption remained static in this period.

Raj targets North Indians, dares govt to arrest him

MUMBAI: Defying police warning on making provocative speeches, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday resumed his 'war of words' against north Indians, saying he would not allow them to 'destroy' the culture of Maharashtra.

Daring the government to arrest him, Raj said only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra.

"Let the government arrest me if it wants. I am not afraid. I maintain my stand that only Maharashtra Day should be celebrated in Maharashtra," he told a rally here to mark MNS' second anniversary.

Justifying what he said about superstar Amitabh Bachchan, he took a swipe at his actor-wife Jaya for her comments on him (Raj) and scoffed at Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Raj ostensibly was mocking at Jaya for her comments at a press conference in which she had said the only Thackeray whom she knew was Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

The MNS was formed after he broke away from Shiv Sena following differences with his cousin and the party's executive president Uddhav Thackeray.

Shoaib cannot play in IPL: BCCI sources

MUMBAI: Though the Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared Shoaib Akhtar to play in the Indian Premier League for Kolkata Knight Riders, the controversial fast bowler still cannot play in the Twenty20 League as per the cricket board's recent decision.

"Unless he is cleared to play for Pakistan, he cannot play in the IPL. This was the decision taken by the special general body of the BCCI at Bangalore before the start of the Twenty20 event," informed BCCI sources here on Wednesday.

Akhtar's appeal against the five-year ban imposed by the PCB for indiscipline was on Wednesday rejected by a three-member appeal tribunal which, however, said he was free to resume his career overseas.

Farrukh Aftab, chairman of the appeal tribunal, has said that the temperamental pacer can play in the IPL promoted by the BCCI but cannot play for Pakistan internationally or nationally.

Akhtar was bought for $425,000 (approx Rs 1.7 crore) by the Kolkata franchise team owned by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.