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Aakash Tablet Competitor: OLPC's XO 3.0 to Enter Market

The much discussed Aakash tablet may soon find a competitor in the form of One Laptop per Child - OLPC's - XO 3.0 tablet, a low-cost, low-power, rugged tablet designed for student use in developing countries. The non-profit organisation One Laptop per Child (OLPC) along with Marvell will demonstrate a fully functional version of the tablet at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, which begins in Las Vegas on January 10. The XO 3.0 tablet will be powered by Marvell's ARMADA PXA618 processor and includes Avastar Wi-Fi. The XO 3.0 tablet is said to be the only tablet that can be charged directly by solar panels, hand cranks and other alternative power sources. The tablet will run support Android and Linux operating systems. The low cost tablet also includes display from Pixel Qi which consume lower power and have better visibility under bright ambient light. In 2010 OLPC and Marvell had first announced their plans to build a $100 tablet.

After Babu, It is For Jagan to Prove His Mettle

TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu has kept his word of undertaking Rythu Porubata Yatra in Warangal district in spite of stiff resistance from TRS, BJP and TJAC protesters. Now it is time for YSR Congress president Jagana Mohan Reddy to prove his mettle by touring in the Telangana region. The Telangana political joint action committee (JAC) on Sunday called upon all affiliates, including BJP, TRS and CPI-ML (New Democracy) to prevent YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy from entering Telangana region, as he had failed to announce his stand on the contentious issue. The TJAC chairman announced the decision during a meeting of the Telangana Vidyavantula Vedika at the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram.     The YSR Congress chief is all set to embark on a 48-hour 'rythu deeksha' at Armoor in Nizamabad district from January 10 to express solidarity with turmeric and cotton farmers. Jagan's previous attempt to enter the region through Mahabubabad (Warangal district) in May 2010 was met with stiff resistance from locals and resulted in violent incidents, forcing him to abandon his Odarpu yatra in the region. Putting to rest speculation that TRS and YSR Congress party had a secret understanding with each other, the TRS too lashed out at the YSR Congress chief and said their workers would force Jagan to clarify on the statehood issue. TRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao said people cannot forget how Jagan snatched a placard from Seemandhra Congress MPs in Lok Sabha in support of a united Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, announcing the tour schedule of the party chief, YSR Congress spokesperson Bajireddy Goverdhan appealed to Telangana protagonists not to obstruct Jagan's deeksha. Stating that the YSR Congress party chief was committed to a separate Telangana state, he said Jagan had never spoken against the sentiments of Telangana people. Goverdhan said Jagan would reach Nizamabad around 10.30 am on January 10 and hold a meeting with over 1,000 party workers at a marriage hall. The Kadapa MP will start his deeksha at Nimmala Gardens in Armoor at 12 noon after taking the blessings from three religious heads.

Balayya Slaps Thigh Ahead of 2014 Elections

Popular cine hero Balayya (Nandamuri Balakrishna) is all set to enter politics in 2014. "Besides campaigning for the TDP, I will also contest the elections in 2014," said the 'thigh-slapping' actor in Vijayawada on Saturday. It's to be recalled that though initially Chandrababu Naidu thought of fielding Balayya in 2009 itself, but somehow changed his mind in the last moment. "I have campaigned for the TDP in several elections. But this time I will contest the elections too," Balakrishna told reporters in Vijayawada. The son of TDP founder late N T Rama Rao, Balayya,  said his decision to enter electoral politics was inspred by the contribution of his father to the state. Asked whether any other member of the NTR family would contest in the 2014 elections, Balakrishna said: "We are not forcing anyone." He hastened to add that the other members of the family are busy with their respective avocations. Balakrishna was in Vijayawada to celebrate the success of his latest hit, Sri Ramarajyam. He participated in a motorcycle rally in Krishna district on Sunday. The rally  started at Kodali and culminated in Ghantasala, where the star unveiled a statue of N T Ramarao. Talk of Balakrishna's electoral debut has been in the air for some time now. On Saturday, at a meeting organised by Chandrababu Naidu in Tirupati, some students raised slogans like "future CM Balayya". However, party sources said Balakrishna has no ambitions of supplanting the TDP president in the race to the chief minister's chair. There have been also rumours in the past that Balakrishna would replace his elder brother Harikrishna in the TDP politburo.Interestingly, Harikrishna attended the TDP politburo meeting on Saturday after a long time.  

Aakash Tablet Too Has Its Drawbacks

Aakash Tablet has some drawbacks: Three months after it was launched amid much fanfare, Aakash - an affordable "access device" priced at Rs.2,250 - seems to be in need of a makeover. The feedback received from 600-odd students, who have used the tablet as part of the pilot run, has revealed quite a few defects in the device that have been acknowledged by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) and are currently being worked upon. The tablet's slow speed, for instance, is one of its biggest problems. There have also been complaints about the device heating up quite quickly and its poor battery life. Moreover, students don't seem too comfortable with the resisitive touch-screen and the fact that the tablet supports only Wi- Fi access to the Internet. The device was created specifically for students with the aim of bridging the "digital divide" between the rich and poor. Since then, the Internet has been abuzz with Aakash's performance reviews. The HRD ministry, however, was waiting to hear from the students, who were given the computer tablet as part of the pilot run. "We have already said we will better the device as and when we get appropriate feedback. About 600 students had the tablets and we got their feedback through questionnaires. There are 15 to 16 points that need to be looked at. But first, we have agreed to make some immediate improvements," said a ministry official. The tablets distributed among students under the pilot run had an Android 2.2 operating system, a seven- inch touch-screen, a 366 MHz processor, two USB ports, a multimedia player and 180 minutes of battery power. Instead of the 366 MHz processor, the improved Aakash will have a 766 MHz processor and a battery with a better life. The improved specifications, however, will come at the same price. The ministry had initially placed an order of one lakh units with the manufacturer Datawind. Since the first 30,000 tablets have already been assembled, the improved specification will only be incorporated in the remaining 70,000 units of the order.

Partnership Summit: 30 Proposals Worth 76500 Crore Cleared

The Chief Minister's Office, on the eve of the Partnership Summit, issued a press release hailing the chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy as a leader who is sensitive to industry requirements. In the release, the Chief Minister assured the industrial sector that the government, besides facilitating investments, would also contribute to the upgradation of skills. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the government would invest in skill upgradation and training of youth so that they become immediately employable. The Chief Minister stressed the need for growth in industry as it is the private sector that can create jobs. The CMO said that the State Investment Promotion Board cleared 30 investment proposals with an investment potential of `76,552 crore in just a day.     Regarding the Partnership Summit, the CMO said ministerial and business delegations from countries like Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Mali, Malaysia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, the United States, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe will participate. President of the Republic of Male Amadou Tomani Toure and Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will be the guests of honour. The theme is of the summit is 'New Age Innovation Partnerships'. The Chief Minister will also have one on one meetings with the ministerial and business delegations.

EMAAR-MGF Scam: Ambati Points Finger at Naidu, Acharya

YSR Congress Party leader and former chairman of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) tried to steer clear from the EMAAR-MGF scam by pointing finger at Chandrababu Naidu and B P Acharya. Ambati appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation which is investigating the Emaar scam, on Sunday, at Dilkusha Guest House. Mr Rambabu told the CBI that the collaboration agreement between Emaar and the APIIC during former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's regime had led to the irregularities in the Emaar township project. He also told the CBI that home secretary B.P. Acharya did not inform APIIC's board regarding the Emaar-MGF deal, which was wrong. Mr Rambabu added that the CBI should probe the Emaar scam from 2002 when government orders issued by Mr Naidu actually brought the project in. The collaboration agreement, which helped the intrusion of a third party, MGF, should also be investigated, he said.     "The problem actually started during the collaboration agreement. When I asked for a probe into the case from 2002, the CBI officials answered that they are doing that. So we can expect those who are behind the GO 359 and collaboration agreement to be questioned by the CBI," Mr Rambabu said. He added that he came to know about the agreement between Emaar-MGF and the joint venture company only after his tenure ended. The entry of MGF reduced the stake of APIIC in the township project causing huge loss to the public sector APIIC. "They also asked me about the role of the chairman and other casual questions about the functioning of APIIC. The CBI didn't ask me questions regarding Jagan’s case," said Mr Rambabu.    

Pranab Mukherji in Tirupathi Today

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (07-01-2012) offered prayers at the famous temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here. Mukherjee, accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy, was in the temple for about 30 minutes. Before leaving the shrine, Mukherjee was presented with sacred laddu prasadam and holy water by temple management. Complimenting Andhra Pradesh for its "powerful" SHG network which was working like a revolution, Mr. Mukherjee said that an exclusive financial institution with a corpus fund of Rs. 500 crore would be set up soon at the national level to exclusively meet the financial requirements of the SHGs. Earlier, he formally declared open the 'historic arch' at the entrance of Sri Venkateswara Medical College. MP Chinta Mohan, District in-charge Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, TTD Chairman K. Bapi Raju, MLAs K. Chiranjeevi (Tirupati) and P. Ravi (Puthalpat), MLCs Y. Srinivasulu Reddy and R. Reddeppa Reddy were present. After his worship, Mukherjee left for Delhi, the sources said. This was his second visit to the ancient hill shrine. He had worshipped Lord Venkateswara when he was the External Affairs Minister on August 25, 2007, the sources said.

Bhanwari Devi Murder Case: Wristwatch, Bones Found

Mystery of Bhanwari Devi murder case is getting solved day by day. Divers engaged by a joint team of Police and CBI recovered on Saturday a wrist watch, some pieces of bones and few other articles from Rajiv Gandhi lift canal near Jaloda village where her remains were allegedly dumped. Speaking to media, a police official said "A wrist watch, some pieces of bones and a few articles, including a ring and a locket, were recovered from the canal. It is subject to verification whether the articles were of Bhanwari Devi." The Rajasthan government has stopped water supply to the canal to enable the investigators to locate the remains of Bhanwari. Kailash Jakhar, an accused in the case, had told CBI that he and his accomplice Bishnaram Bishnoi were handed over Bhanwari's body on September 1, 2011 after which they burnt it in a crater near Jaloda and threw the remains in the canal. CBI officials said they will bring Bishnaram at the spot in Jaloda village, about 150 km from Jodhpur, for verification of these articles. The divers had on Friday recovered a wooden bat, a poly bag containing two country made revolvers, a few bangles and bone pieces from the canal. A team of Central Forensic Science Laboratory had on Friday sent the ashes collected from the site, where the body was allegedly burnt, to New Delhi for a DNA test to ascertain if they were the remains of Bhanwari, while a CBI court extended the custody of sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, arrested for his alleged role in her disappearance. Bhanwari had gone missing on September 1, 2011 after a CD allegedly showing her in a compromising position with Maderna was circulated in the political circle.  

Anna Hazare Recovering: To be Discharged on Sunday

Social activist Anna Hazare, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Pune, is gradually recovering. The doctor attending to him said that Hazare will be discharged on Sunday morning. "He is responding well to the treatment and his condition is improving," said the doctors at Pune's Sancheti Hospital.     Anna Hazare, 74, was rushed to the hospital in Pune from his village Ralegan Siddhi just before December 31 midnight for treatment. He is also suffering from osteosporosis, a disease of the bones. Doctors have advised Hazare one month's rest, following which he cancelled his plan to campaign against the Congress in the forthcoming assembly polls in five states.

Attack Jagan: Azad Green Signal to Party

Hinting that attack is the best form of defence, Congress general secretary Gulam Nabi Azad has instructed the state party leadership not to spare Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other opposition leaders. Mr Azad, while interacting with the state level Congress Coordination Committee members in Gandhi Bhavan late on Thursday evening found fault with the ministers and party seniors for failing to counter the criticism leveled by Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and other opposition leaders against the Congress party and the government. Mr Azad then told the Coordination panel that from the complaints he heard against ministers and senior party leaders, they are not bothered to counter political adversaries, including the criticism leveled by Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy effectively. He then directed the state leadership to be more offensive on all such matters. Mr Azad also reminded the panel that the Congress in the state is waging a lone battle and is facing several odds. He told the panel members that the party earlier had TRS, CPI and CPM on its side and faced only the Telugu Desam.   "Now the situation is totally changed. We (Congress) are alone and are facing a threat from the Opposition and Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, so we have to be more careful," Mr Azad is reported to have said. Sources said that Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha sought to know why the Rs 2 a kilo rice scheme was replaced with 1 a kilo rice scheme and at whose behest. "When nobody wanted it, why should the CM get it changed," he is said to have asked. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy explained that he got permission from Congress president Sonia Gandhi to suitably amend the schemes launched by late Rajasekhara Reddy in order to win support for the party. Mr Raja Narasimha shot back and asked "in that case will you change 104, 108, Arogyasri, free power to agriculture and other schemes too? Why should we do that, we can as well tell the people all these schemes were launched by the Congress government, what is the problem."

Naidu Tries to Woo Telangana People

In his public address at the MPP Ground in Palakurthy, Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu said, "I have never spoken against Telangana statehood."  Mr Naidu said that the TD is the party of weaker sections of society and has always stood for development. "Our party will take up the fight on behalf of the farmers by joining hands with national level parties," he said. "I am with you always. I have come here to understand your problems and will fight till you get justice," the former CM promised, even as the farmers poured out their woes. On Telangana, Mr Naidu said, that he was not against Telangana. "It is the responsibility of the Congress to take a decision on the statehood issue as it has the authority," he said. The Leader of Opposition spit fire at the TRS for trying to block his Warangal district tour that was meant to console farmers in distress. "We shall not be cowed down by petty protests by some mobs and shall fight for the farmers. If TRS has any shame, it too should support us in this regard," Mr Naidu said. He also warned that whoever tried to harm the TD would themselves be wiped out. Earlier, Mr Naidu got farmers all along the padayatra route to speak about the problems they faced even as heavy deployment of over 3,000 police personnel remained on alert to foil any untoward incident in Palakurthy.   Along the route, in Nekkonda, scores of rival TD and TRS/TJAC supporters clashed at the government high school. Twenty two wheelers were damaged, a bus was burnt while Nekkonda police station head constable V.K. Sambaiah and ex-MPTC M Ramu were injured. In Narsampet, stonepelting by local TRS TJAC supporters damaged 17 Palakurthy bound vehicles injuring eight people. Mr Naidu's convey was also attacked at Jangaon town by about 100 people wielding empty beer bottles and stones. Police had to resort to a lathi charge. Three people were injured including a reporter. Five students who tried to throw slippers and water sachets at Mr Naidu were beaten up by TD activists before cops rescued them.    

CBI OMC Case: Srilakshmi IAS Sent to Jail

Senior IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi surrendered before the CBI court on Friday evening, accompanied by her lawyer and two family friends. On January 2, the High Court cancelled her bail directing her to surrender before the trial court by January 6. She appealed to the Supreme Court, which refused to stay the order on Friday.   Ms Srilakshmi is an accused in the Obalapuram Mining Company case. She was arrested on a charge of abusing her official position to grant favours to former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy owned OMC, on November 28. Initially composed, she seemed to be on the verge of breaking down when the judge remanded her to custody till January 12.

Patolla Govardhan Reddy Murder: Five Nabbed

The police on Thursday caught five persons in the murder case of former extremist leader, Patlolla Goverdhan Reddy, at Jahangirpeer Dargah in Kothur of neighbouring Mahbubnagar district. On a tip-off that the accused assembled there, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner's Task Force teams rushed there and caught the accused, Anil, Narender, Srinivas, Ahmed and Prashant Reddy.     The Task Force officials had been on the look-out for the killers since the murder was committed on December 28 at Boggulakunta. The accused reportedly told the police that Goverdhan Reddy was their gang leader but eliminated him after realising that the latter was trying to create a rift among them. Anil had been working with Goverdhan Reddy for the past five years. Of late, he suspected that Anil had become a police informer and asked Prashanth Reddy to eliminate him. The accused, sources said, had maintained that their hopes of making money by intervening in a land dispute at Chilukanagar of Uppal also got shattered as Goverdhan Reddy occupied two acres of the disputed land and got it registered in the name of his close relative.

Hyderabad New Mayor on Image Makeover Spree

The newly elected Mayor Mohammed Majid Hussain of MIM took charge as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) mayor on Thursday. Soon after he was declared elected on Tuesday, Majid Hussain had vowed to take up an image makeover of Greater Hyderabad. As one walks into the chambers of the newly-elected Mayor, Mohammed Majid Hussain, one cannot but take note of the image makeover he has taken up. As a first step, he got the three framed photographs - that of President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy - replaced with former MIM president the late Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi and his sons, MP Asaduddin Owaisi and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi. The replacement of the portraits raised several eyebrows. However, the mayor seemed visibly happy. He arrived at his office in a huge procession from the MIM headquarters in Darussalam. He also took the opportunity to set the record straight by making his self-image makeover too. Earlier it was reported in a section of the media that he faces at least seven criminal cases, including that of intimidation and attempt to murder. Making light of the reports in media, Majid Hussain said "I have been framed. The cases against me were booked when I went to support locals who were facing some problems," he told. He further said the cases were foisted against him only after he became a corporator. "Prior to that, there were no such cases against me. As a public representative, I have to support the public when they are in problems and protect them. I cannot shy away from my responsibilities and will continue to do so whenever local people require my help," he asserted. Besides clarifying, the new mayor also unveiled some of his plans for the city. "I will make Greater Hyderabad look altogether different. But I cannot make any commitment right now," he said.

Highway Safety: Komatireddy to Head Committee

Speaker Nadendla Manohar has appointed former minister and Nalgonda MLA Komatireddy Venkata Reddy as chairman of an advisory committee that will suggest measures needed to prevent fatal accidents on all highways in the state. The advisory panel is a reflection of the Legislature’s social responsibility and it being sensitive to the concerns of public.   The panel has been set up after Congress MP Azharuddin, who lost his son in an accident on the Outer Ring Road last year requested Mr Manohar to do something to prevent fatal accidents on the highways, the Speaker told this newspaper. "I thought Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, who lost his grownup son very recently, would be the right person to head the committee," the Speaker added. The panel will study the pattern of accidents, the existing measures being taken by Road Transport Authority and Police and State Highway authority (now defunct) and come out with suggestions to minimise fatalities.      

KCR True Colours Exposed by Motkupalli Narasimhulu

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is an integrationist at heart, alleged TDP leader Motkupalli Narasimhulu. Making a scathing attack on the TRS president, Motkupalli alleged that KCR had vehemently opposed the zonal system on July 18, 1996 in the Assembly but is now demanding its implementation for political mileage.     Motkupalli referred to a CD of KCR's speech in the House, in which the latter was shown making the controversial speech. "He wants the employees to be shifted from one place to another. He is a 'Samaikyawadi' (intergrationist) at heart, but is using Telangana card for political gains," Mr Narasimhulu said. The TD leader also repeated his party's allegations that Mr Rao and MP Vijayashanti were not from Telangana but hailed from Vizianagaram and Rajahmundry respectively. "KCR is the king of cheaters and robbers. He was involved in a fake passport racket. He never spoke about Telangana in Parliament. He believes only in vote, seat and note. If he is in Hyderabad, he says 'Jai Telangana', he says 'No Telangana' when he is in Delhi," Mr Narasimhulu said.    

Jagan CBI Case: Vijay Sai For Special Status in Jail

Jagathi Publications vice chairman V. Vijay Sai Reddy, who is in CBI custody, filed a petition in the CBI court on Thursday seeking special class prisoner status in accordance with Rule 730 of the AP Prisons Rules 1979. Admitting the petition, the CBI court posted the case to January 10 for hearing.   In the petition he claimed that as an Income Tax assessee he has been paying more than Rs 5 lakh as an individual and about Rs 20 lakh as a chartered acco-untant on behalf of his firm. He also claimed himself to be highly educated, and said he had a reputed social standing and was habituated to a luxurious lifestyle. Other high profile undertrial prisoners who got special class status, earlier, are mining baron Gali Janard-han Reddy and his associate B.V. Srinivas Reddy, former mines and geology director V.D. Rajagopal and Emaar-APIIC scam accused Koneru Rajendra Prasad. As per rules, one should have high educational and social status besides having been habituated to a superior mode of living to seek special class prisoner status. Meanwhile, CBI officials interrogated Vijay Sai Reddy at the Dilkusha Guest House as the court granted them five-day custody.

Kolaveri di in State Congress Worries Azad

AICC General Secretary and state party affairs incharge Gulam Nabi Azad is worried about the 'Kolaveri di' (a latest euphemism for dissent) in the party. Speaking at the first Coordination Committee Meeting held on Thursday, Ghulam Nabi Azad stressed on the need to have better coordination between the government, he stressed on the need to have better coordination between the government. He said that from his meetings with the party leaders and legislators earlier in the day, he had understood that more coordination was needed.   Mr. Azad told the members of the coordination panel that there used to be no problems when YSR was the Chief Minister but now it seemed that there was a real need for coordinating affairs to take forward the Congress government’s schemes and policies so that they reached larger sections of the society. "If the need arises, let us have the coordination committee meetings every 15 days," he told the coordination panel. Deputy Chief Minister Mr Raja Narasimha is said to have made some caustic remarks against the CM at the meeting. Recalling the attack on textiles minister P. Shankar Rao, Mr Narasimha said the CM's silence on the issue had sent a wrong message to both the party leaders and to the oppostion. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, Chiranjeevi, member of parliament K.S. Rao, former PCC Chief D. Srinivas and former minister Shabbir Ali. After the three-hour-long meeting, Mr Satyanarayana said the next meeting would be on January 21.    

CBI files caveat against Srilakshmi

The CBI has filed a caveat in Supreme Court against IAS official Y. Srilakshmi’s bail plea. On Wednesday, Ms Srilakshmi filed a special leave petition in Supreme Court seeking cancellation of orders of the AP High Court, which suspended her bail. She was earlier arrested and released on bail in the mining scam case. In the petition, Ms Srilakshmi said that the CBI’s contentions that she would influence witnesses if released on bail, were not true.     CBI joint director V.V. Lakshminarayana said, “We have filed a caveat in the apex court on Ms Srilakshmi’s bail.” The CBI said a supplementary chargesheet will be filed in the Obulapuram mining scam in the next 20 days. CBI has sought the Centre’s permission to prosecute Ms Srilakshmi so that her name can be included in the supplementary chargesheet.