Plethico Pharma to invest up to 1 bln rupees in new plant

Drug maker Plethico Pharmaceuticals Ltd plans to invest 800 million to 1 billion rupees to set up a unit in Dubai to make drugs, medicated lozenges and confectionery, an official said on Tuesday.

The plant, expected to be operational by mid-2009 or latest by 2010, is expected to rake in 1.50 billion to 1.80 billion rupees in its first year of operations, Chief Financial Officer Sanjay Pai told Reuters over telephone.

"This will help us to cater to the increasing demand from high volume emerging markets such as Russia and CIS countries," Pai said. The plant would give Plethico the advantages of "proximity to markets and a zero tax regime".

Spyker recovers from F1 adventure

(PHOTO:Spyker F1 Team and Colin Kolles, Dr Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher, Michiel Mol, Spyker.) Five months after selling Spyker F1 to Vijay Mallya and former company managing director Michiel Mol, the Dutch boutique sporscar manufacturer is getting back to its feet.

The adventure at the top level of auto racing nearly drove Spyker into bankruptcy, dropping the company's cash reserves dangerously low when the team's sponsors did not come through with the payments they had committed to.

"Formula One turned out to be a massive bleeder, losing 2 million Euros a month because some sponsors did not pay," Spyker CEO Victor Muller said in an interview Automotive News Europe. "This drained our production capital."

At the end of its Formula One saga, Spyker's operating capital had been drained badly enough that it could not pay its suppliers, dropping its production to just two cars in December. Subsequent to the sale of the company to Orange India Holdings, a venture founded by Mallaya and Mol, Spyker also refinanced the company, receiving some 35 million Euros in additional operating capital.

Spyker sold the team to Orange India for $124 million, somewhat higher than the $106 million purchase price from Midland F1. However, with the operating losses the team incurred as Spyker F1, the venture could not be considered a profitable one for the company -- and the cost of financing an F1 team was unjustifiable for a boutique manufacturer such as Spyker.

But the company survived the "F1 scare," and is more or less back to business as usual. February production will be back to near normal levels, and Muller is visiting Spyker dealers to rebuild trust in the company's ability to deliver cars.

Meanwhile, Mol, who got Spyker involved in F1, has reportedly sold his remaining 11.9% stake in the firm. Gemini Investments Fund of Latvia took an option in Mol's stake in late January, and reportedly Mol and Gemini have completed the transaction, closing the books on the Mol era.

Mobile WiMAX service expected in RP toward yearend

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) services are expected to hit the Philippines late 2008, an Intel executive told INQUIRER.net.

WiMAX is a telecommunications technology that offers wireless data services over long distances. It is one of more recent technologies that hope to provide an alternative “last mile” wireless broadband service. The last mile is the proverbial point of access from the Internet backbone to the end-user.

Navin Shenoy, vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific of Intel Semiconductor Ltd., said Intel has already seen commercial WiMAX services launched in the United States and Japan early this year.

Shenoy said that Intel is now working with operators to bring in “mobile WiMAX service in the country.

The Intel executive, however, declined to give further details.

According to the WiMAX Forum, an international organization recognized for certifying WiMAX products and publishing technical specifications, there are over 520 member companies who have joined the organization.

The WiMAX Forum website indicated that there are now 260 commercial WiMAX deployments around the world.

Mobile WiMAX service expected in RP toward yearend

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) services are expected to hit the Philippines late 2008, an Intel executive told INQUIRER.net.

WiMAX is a telecommunications technology that offers wireless data services over long distances. It is one of more recent technologies that hope to provide an alternative “last mile” wireless broadband service. The last mile is the proverbial point of access from the Internet backbone to the end-user.

Navin Shenoy, vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific of Intel Semiconductor Ltd., said Intel has already seen commercial WiMAX services launched in the United States and Japan early this year.

Shenoy said that Intel is now working with operators to bring in “mobile WiMAX service in the country.

The Intel executive, however, declined to give further details.

According to the WiMAX Forum, an international organization recognized for certifying WiMAX products and publishing technical specifications, there are over 520 member companies who have joined the organization.

The WiMAX Forum website indicated that there are now 260 commercial WiMAX deployments around the world.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy awards announced

The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Mangalore, has announced its annual honorary awards for 2007 in the fields of literature, folk arts and drama.

According to a press release here today from the Academy the award winners are Gerald Pinto of Udupi for literature, Manjaiah Shivu Kumbri of Honnavar for folk arts and Francis Fernandes Cascia of Mangalore for drama.

The decision to honour these achievers has been taken in taken at the general body meeting of the academy held here on Thursday. The award winners will receive Rs. 10,000 in cash, a certificate and a memento each at a function to be held at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district on March 9 at 5.30 p.m. President of the academy Eric Ozario will preside over the function.

Mr. Pinto (51), a resident of Kallianpur in Udupi, is the editor of "Samparka", a Kannada quarterly. He has written stories, short stories, poems and more than 340 articles in his career spanning 34 years. Mr. Cascia (63), who has written many dramas, has been involved in the field for nearly 40 years. Mr. Kumbri (55), an active folk artiste heads the Gudde Sidda Konkani Folk troupe in Honnavar added the release.

H V Pai expires

Rt. DGM of syndicate bank, senior member of Haradi Pai family H V Pai (86yrs) expired due to illhealth on Friday morning at his daughters residence in Chennai.

A friendly person during his service and an active personality in the society this is how people remember him.

In 1949 he served as the first secretary of the Maharashtra Apex bank with which he began his retired life. In 1953, during the merger of the Maharashtra Apex bank with the syndicate bank he joined the syndicate bank. Later he served in Canara mutual assurance company, where he served for three years as a development officer. In 1956 he returned to syndicate bank as the divisional manager.

Serving in several sectors he became the DGM in 1978 and got retired in 1980.

He served as a managing trustee of Shri Lakshmi Venkataramana temple. He is survived by wife and two daughters.

Konkani pride

It was a moment that the entire Konkani speaking community was waiting for . Not disappointing them on this count was Keith Pullin, adjudicator, Guinness World Records. His announcement, “The record set by Communidade Evangelica Luterana Sao Pa ulo, Ulbra, Brazil, in July 2004, no longer stands” sent the packed amphitheatre at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar, here in Mangalore into a wild delirium, followed by unbridled celebrations.

The record in question was for the world’s longest singing attempt by multiple singers set by the Brazilian group on July 2 and 3, four years ago, as they sang for for 36 hours. Bettering this record at the Kalaangann amphitheatre by a good four hours was the city-based premier Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann. They began their effort at 6 a.m. on Republic Day and ended it at one minute past 10 p.m., a day later.

For all the months of planning which went into ensuring that the record was bettered, the crowd had to endure 45-minutes of suspense as Keith Pullin delayed confirming the record in order to meet certain procedural requirements. A day earlier Pullin had said: “I have brought the (World Record) certificate with me and will hand it over as soon as the world record has been achieved.”

Involved in the endeavour were 1,705 singers who sang 553 Konkani songs to break the earlier record. The Mandd Sobhann team bettered the record when Jeri Meri from Mumbai performed at just a little past 6 p.m. on Sunday. Pullin, who has been involved in several adjudications in the past said, “What I admired was the coming together of community and a splendid disciplined effort which went into it.”

Pleased as punch with this effort was the Gurkaar (chief) of Mandd Sobhann, Eric Ozario. “We have done everything humanly possible to ensure that this record is bettered,” he said. Visibly exhausted by the effort, Ozario, who was leading his troupe in the final leg of the record attempt could not but help shake a leg on the podium even as he conducted the group , while holding aloft a placard announcing the last song.

Explaining the reasons behind the success in setting the world record, he said, “It was meticulous planning and cooperation from every person entrusted with a specific task, which helped us achieve the feat that we set out to do. Moreover, it was our way of ensuring that the reluctant Konkani pride was taken to its well-deserved heights. Interestingly, the logo of the record-breaking attempt showed a Konkani flag on top of the world. The Mandd Sobhann did not fully utilise the permissible breaks in between songs, but were well within that. “We did not need the break, for everything had been planned to the last second during the course of the rehearsals,” he said.

The fact that the singers were as young as 14-years and as old as 78-years and from various parts of the Konkani-speaking community, told its own story.

Journalism standards deteriorating - M V Kamath

"Absence of objectivity, honesty and revolution in technology has swept off ethical standards practiced in journalism," said veteran journalist and Honorary Director of MIC Dr M V Kamath.

Delivering the inaugural address at the one-day workshop on Journalism jointly organised by Rotary Club of Kota, Udupi District Journalist Association and Kohinoor Printers of Bangalore at Viveka Pre University College in Kota on Saturday, he alleged that editors and reporters seriously lack sense of values.

Stating that money has superseded principles and that values don't matter any more in the field, he said "purchase of news columns is a common phenomenon today."

He urged journalists to go in depth on any relevant subject before penning it down. One should think to know facts and extensive reading may prove beneficial, he added.

Expressing concern over the quality of journalism practiced today, Mr Kamath said that journalism standards are completely deteriorating, as evident from the recent Tehelka scandal.

President of Brahmavar Rotary Club Sathish Shetty presided over the function. Udupi Journalist Association President A Dinesh Kini, Art Critic A Eshwaraih and President of Brahmavar Working Journalist Association Prabhakar Shetty were present on the occasion.

Online education system to be launched

BANGALORE: “e-kalike.com”, an online education support system for SSLC students, a venture of Navitas Consulting Pvt. Ltd., will be launched here on Monday. The portal has been developed for Kannada- and English-medium students, according to Navitas Business Development Manager Vandana S. Kamath.

Speaking to press persons here on Saturday, Ms. Vandana said that the website developed by a panel of eminent educationists, deals with core subjects such as physics, chemistry biology, history, civics, geography, economics, arithmetic, algebra and geometry.

It was backed by a database on questions. The students could also compare their scores with other students, she explained.

The website would have 350 lesson-wise assessment tests, each lesson consisting of 20 questions. The services were available at a nominal cost. Each question is priced at Re. 1, she added.

Ms. Vandana said that a State-wide online assessment test in three core subjects would be conducted on March 15 for its subscribers and the toppers would be honoured with prizes.

Mohandas Shenoy Kundapur TP Chief

Senior BJP member Mohandas Shenoy and Nagaraj Kanchan were unanimously elected as president and vice-president of Kundapura Town Panchayat.

As per the reservation notice issued by the State government for the election of president and vice-president, a general candidate was fielded for the presidents post, while for the post of vice-president, a candidate from Backward Class A category was in the fray.

Kundapur sub-division officer K N Ramesh was the election officer.

Out of 23 Town Panchayat seats, BJP had won a clear majority of 15 seats.

Former minister and MLC Dr V S Acharya lit the lamp and inaugurated the Town Panchayat presidents office.

First time in power

With the two senior leaders holding the reins in the panchayat, the BJP has for the first time come to power in Kundapur TP.

Bharathiya Janatha Party had been playing the role of an opposition with six members and now has won 15 seats.

Stop Brahmin Bashing by Uday Lal Pai

Read the superb article at
http://www.udaypai.in/?cat=36

Sudhakara Rao takes charge as Chief Secy.

Sudhakara Rao took charge as the new Chief Secretary of Karnataka Government here this morning from outgoing Chief Secretary P.B. Mahishi.

P.B. Mahishi, who occupied the post till yesterday, has been transferred as the Chairman of Karnataka Power Corporation. Neeraja Raj, who is a senior officer than Sudhakara Rao, has been appointed as the Chairman of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.

The rumours of P.B. Mahishi being transferred after the implementation of President's Rule in Karnataka were rife when Governor Rameshwar Thakur assumed office. It was alleged that Congress party played a role in his transfer.

Sudhakara Rao was born on Sept. 3, 1949 at Udupi, Dakshina Kannada. He passed IAS in 1973.

Plethico Pharma looking at overseas OTC buyouts

After acquiring neutraceutical company Natrol in the US, Mumbai-based Plethico Pharmaceuticals is pursuing three more acquisitions in the over-the-counter (OTC) and functional food space overseas.

Sanjay Pai, chief financial officer at Plethico Pharma Ltd, told DNA Money: “We are looking at opportunities in the US, UK and Brazil. These acquisitions will be in the area that can complement our existing business.”

Last month, the Mumbai-based drugmaker acquired Natrol for $80.7 million. On account of this acquisition, Plethico added 200 products (with 500 line extensions) to its existing portfolio. Prior to the buyout, Natrol was listed on Nasdaq stock exchange.

A person close to the company said that Plethico wants to list the company again on the US stock exchange. “Hence the company is looking at acquisition in the region. It wants the business to be at least $250-$300 million in revenues before it proceeds for listing,” the source added.

According to investment banking sources, Plethico had also bid for UK-based Galpharm Healthcare Ltd that has a big portfolio of OTC drugs. But another US-based company Perrigo Co bagged Galpharm for $86 million this month.

Pai refused to comment on both the developments. “Currently, we are in process of integrating Natrol with our Indian operations,” he said. Plethico is evaluating the product basket of Natrol. The US-based neutraceutical company sells in about 40 countries.

Plethico will achieve Rs1,000 crore in revenues by the year-end thanks to the recent US acquisition, Pai said.

Longest singing marathon-world record set by Mandd Sobhann

MANGALORE, India--43 groups, singing one after the other with 1,711 singers, sang 645 songs over 40 hours and set the new world record for the longest singing marathon by multiple singers. Mandd Sobhann went past the Brazilian group’s record at 6 pm on Sunday when the 39th group from Jeri Meri Mumbai gave its performance.

It was Eric Ozario, Gurkaar of Mandd Sobhann, who was leading his own Mandd Sobhann team, the last and 43rd batch on the final stretch of the record attempt. Pullin, in a brief interaction with the presspersons, he said the event was well organised.

Teams from different parts of the nation, including Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore took part in the venture to break the historic record at the Kalaangann in Mangalore.

The record for the "World’s Longest Singing Marathon by Multiple Singers” was previously held by a group from Ulbra, Brazil, called "Communidade Evangelica Luterana Sao Paulo". It sang for 36 hours during July 3-4, 2004.

While the Brazilian group achieved the feat with 36-hours of singing, the Mandd Sobhann group extended it by four hours with a 40-hour effort.

"The Kalangan Amphitheatre, the venue of the record-breaking event, erupted in a triumphant chorus of whistles, loud applause and congratulations", says Roshan De Souza, a US-based Mangalorean and the moderator of the website,

Konkani as a language is spoken by people who live or have lived along the Konkan belt. The region is spread over four states, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.

"The recent world record should unite all Konkani-speaking people across India and the world. The language now has unified on the world stage", says Malwin De Souza, a Goan, based in Cayman Islands.

This is the 974th record from India, which has found its way into the Book of World Records. "There have been approximately around 973 records from India or relating to India; which have found their way into the Book of Records", says Pullin.

Uniting Konkani communities gigantic task, opine experts

It is a gigantic task to bring together all the Konkani speaking people under one umbrella, using Konkani as the common denominator when problems like caste discrimination still exist in the community, opine language experts.
The experts were participating at the 26th All-India Konkani Parishad organised by Kerala Konkani Academy at Ernakulam on Sunday. The subject of the Parishad was “Konkani Samaaj, Ek Samaaj – Garaj aani Ghadann” (Konkani Community, One Community – Need and Formation).
The session was chaired by Dr Tanaji Halarnkar. Edwin J F D’Souza from Mangalore, N Shivdas from Goa and Arun Abhayankar from North Kanara presented papers.
While Edwin D’Souza opined that ‘to bring together all the Konkani people under one umbrella, using Konkani as the common denominator is a gigantic task,’ Shivdas said, ‘It is a Herculean task when problems like caste discrimination still exists in the Konkani community.’
Arun Abhayankar suggested that there is a need to reach out to all the cross sections of the society and bring them to the main stream.
The Parishad also focused on ‘Tarnaatyaam Madhem Konkanicho Prasaar’ (Spread of Konkani amongst the Youth). The session was chaired by Fr Eric Crasta, president, Karnataka Konkani Bhasha Mandal.
He said, “a new culture has been evolved due to the tremendous growth in the field of IT and communication and we need to understand this situation to unify the youth in order to inculcate in them the love for Konkani.”
The participants also discussed on developing Konkani in the context of globalization.
Presenting his paper Melvyn Rodrigues for the session, director operations Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd said: “We need to see Konkani’s growth not from the linguistic point of view but through economic, political and educational points of view. Without the cultural, political and social strength, any language will not survive in the long run.”
Sandesh Prabhudesai, editor of Sunaparant supported the views expressed by Melvyn. He said, ‘Konkani might survive, but as a mere identity symbol and not as a language.’
Dr Balagopal T S Prabhu opined, “We should not fear that our language is going to die. But we need to think positively.”