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Experts list out what troubles Indian entrepreneurs - Business Today

2012-02-15T20:31:00.000+05:30

Experts list out what troubles Indian entrepreneurs - Business Today

How India can nurture its entrepreneurs

Experts list out what troubles Indian entrepreneurs

Taslima Khan Edition: May 29, 2011

"Given the same resources, an Indian entrepreneur would survive longer than one in California," says Professor Philip Anderson, who teaches entrepreneurship at the international business school, INSEAD.

Thanks to their tenacity and the spirit of jugaad, Indian entrepreneurs shine in the global marketplace. Yet on a global index of 'Ease of Doing Business' recently released by the World Bank, India ranks 133 out of 183 countries. It shows that given a more conducive environment, Indian start-ups could do much better.

Business Today's Taslima Khan asked five experts to discuss the problems Indian entrepreneurs confront and what can be done to reduce them.

WHAT AILS INDIAN ENTREPRENEURS
1.	Mentor the young, says Lakhshmi K Venkatesan
2.	Tap potential of rural entrepreneurs: Anil K Gupta
3.	Grassroots training is important, says Nandini Vaidyanathan
4.	Teach the art of selling and innovation: Mahesh Murthy
5.	Pradeep Gupta on how to take your start-up to next level

India's high networth individuals' number grows 20 per cent - Business Today

2012-02-15T20:11:00.000+05:30

India's high networth individuals' number grows 20 per cent - Business Today

Indian HNI Population on the Rise

India's high networth individuals' number grows 20 per cent

Pritam P Hans Edition: November 2011

The number of high net worth individuals (HNIs or individuals with investable assets of $1 million or more) in India has grown for the second straight year.

India's HNI population grew at 20.8% to 1.53,000 in 2010 compared with 1,26,700 in 2009, according to the 2011 Asia-Pacific Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and Capgemini. The cumulative wealth of Indian HNIs grew by 22% in 2009-10 to Rs 28,60,000 crore from a year ago.

Tips to find the right advisor to manage your wealth

Asia-Pacific's HNI population 2010 has exceeded that of Europe, making it the second largest market after North America. Asia-Pacific's HNI population grew 9.7% to 3.3 million in 2010. Japan remained the largest HNI segment in Asia-Pacific, accounting for 52.5% of the region's HNIs, followed by China (16.1%) and Australia (5.8%).

ceo@gujarat.in - Business Today - Business News

2012-02-15T20:09:00.000+05:30

ceo@gujarat.in - Business Today - Business News

ceo@gujarat.in

Anand Adhikari Edition: Jan 23, 2011

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi

It is towards the end of 2008, and, aviation entrepreneur G.R. Gopinath gets a call from Gandhinagar, Gujarat's capital. D.K. Rao, the state's Principal Secretary handling infrastructure, wants to meet the man who introduced Indians to low-cost air travel to discuss a business idea.

Soon, they meet twice in Mumbai. Rao is under direct instructions from Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is upset that there are no flights between Gujarat's cities and towns. Gopinath flies to Ahmedabad to meet the man who is as famed for running a tight ship by way of administration as he is vilified for polarising the majority Hindus and minority Muslims and Christians like never before under his rule.

Gopinath explains that he has hardly any role in Kingfisher Airlines, which he has merged his airline Air Deccan with. The ex-army pilot offers to operate cargo flights of his new venture, Deccan 360. Modi agrees but does not give up his agenda. He asks Gopinath to get going on both projects and before parting, jocularly warns: "Be quick on your project. We are faster than you."

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Come summer, if all goes according to plan, Deccan Aviation, a Gopinath venture, will begin operating air taxis in the state. Details are under wraps, but in a first-of-its-kind in India, the government will meet any shortfall in ticket revenues. The state has also offered to let Deccan 360 use a new airport outside Ahmedabad as a cargo hub.

In other states, says Gopinath, it is difficult to meet a chief minister as he is surrounded by hundreds of people, most of them seeking redressal of personal grievances. Modi, Gopinath says, avoids such meetings. "That is because, he thinks the system should take care of them," says the Bangalore businessman. "On the other hand, he proactively approaches or readily meets people bringing proposals that can create jobs."

Is Modi the most development-oriented CM?
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This single-minded pursuit of business without any middlemen makes Modi's A team arguably the most-loved among all states by Indian - and, increasingly, foreign - businessmen.

The political class and bureaucracy speak the same language, so there is no confusion. Contrast that with the government in Karnataka, which is bumbling from one crisis to another besides battling charges of corruption. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa "is not able to deliver because his MLAs are torn apart in several camps and the CM finds his hands tied," says Gopinath.

Modi, a fit 60-year-old, is obsessive about his daily routine, say those around him. He wakes up early - typically between 4 and 5 a.m. - and practises yoga. He then logs on to the Internet to check on the news.

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Supersize Gujarat - Business Today - Business News

2012-02-15T19:34:00.000+05:30

Supersize Gujarat - Business Today - Business News

Supersize Gujarat

Anand Adhikari Edition: Jan 23, 2011

At the Bombardier Transportation factory near Vadodara, five robots, towering 15 feet and more, and dozens of workers are at work on the newest assembly line of the world's biggest trainmaker.

Work that begins each morning with a structural frame and wheel assembly ends the day with clinical efficiency in a new metro rail coach ready to be shipped. The Bombardier factory, at Savli, has reasons to be fast: it is scrambling to complete a 424-coach order by Delhi Metro by October 2011. Savli, the company hopes, will be a production hub for India and the region - Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia - as more cities opt for urban rail networks.

Bombardier's pace of work in Gujarat predates its factory, when it was scoping Indian locations for a factory site. It had factories in Qingdao and Changchun in China but they were joint ventures. Bombardier wanted full ownership of a unit in India, which would the 25th on its global network of manufacturing locations.

Competing with Gujarat were Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, followed by Hyderabad, where the Canadian major had been present with an engineering unit for about seven years. Gujarat was on the list as Bombardier had been running a software centre at Vadodara since 2003.

As discussions started on infrastructure and the possibility of making the plant a production base for other markets, the land-locked states around Delhi went off the drawing board. Andhra Pradesh did not score high on critical parameters. "The balance finally tilted in favour of Gujarat. Apart from the (Mundra) port, the railway track connecting Delhi was right behind the proposed factory area," says Rajeev Jyoti, Bombardier Transportation's Managing Director in India. What sealed the deal was the local vendor ecosystem - the company today has about 60 suppliers near Savli.

The decision made, Bombardier saw the Gujarat administration swing into action. It allotted the land in a week and the company built a 160,000 sq. m. factory in 18 months flat. When Bombardier noticed that the road connecting the factory to the Ahmedabad highway was uncomfortably narrow for transporting coaches, the government widened it in quick time. "It was a record breaking experience in Bombardier's 100-year history," says Jyoti.

The Gujarat Buzz
Asutosh Shah, India Managing Director for Duravit, a German luxury sanitaryware brand, says environment clearances for its Tarapur plant in Anand came through registered post in eight weeks. Such approvals in other states can take months despite active lobbying and follow-ups.

Industries Minister Saurabh Patel recalls how Tata Power Managing Director Prasad Menon called on him a year ago without an appointment. Menon, who was meeting Patel for the first time, had come to thank the . minister for the government's support in moving ahead with the Mundra ultra mega power project. "'Nowhere in the country has it happened that we have not had to meet an industries minister or chief minister to move on a Rs 15,000 crore project,' he told me," says Patel. Menon did not reply to requests for comment.

The secret ingredient, says Shah, is a state administration that methodically divides investment proposals from its biennial Vibrant Gujarat summits region-wise and follows up with regular meetings with the local collector and industry department.

The state has received proposals worth $370 billion (Rs 16.65 trillion) at the summits to date, with some $240 billion (Rs 10.8 trillion) coming in 2009. Others such as Karnataka have hopped on to the schmooze bandwagon with the Global Investors Meet in June 2010 netting some $85 billion in investment proposals. Other states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, too, are not behind in the competitive investment game.

Boardrooms across Corporate India are buzzing with what many call the Gujarat experience. Tyremaker Ceat has set up a plant in Halol to make radial tyres. Says Anant Goenka, Ceat's Deputy Managing Director, "You just can't take your eyes off Gujarat." So much so that some of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's most bitter critics have set up shop in the state. Next to Bombardier's factory is a Thermax plant, and the Pune-based boiler manufacturer is thinking of another one at Jhagadia, north of Surat. Thermax Director Anu Aga, whose family controls the company, was one of the few from Indian business to criticise Modi after the Godhra riots early in 2002.

The speed of government inThe speed of government in Gujarat and continuity of policy - Modi is the longest serving chief minister of the state - and its infrastructure has the state accelerating on new investments. "Gujarat scores over other states because of reliable power supply, availability of natural gas, water from the Narmada canal and proximity to ports for importing raw materials as well as exporting finished goods," sums up Goenka.

Modi's critics grudge the attention his government is getting, labelling it marketing spiel. "Gujarat has always been prosperous and on the top of the investment charts," says the Congress Party's Saktisinh Gohil, Opposition leader in the state legislature, citing groups such as Reliance Industries, Essar and General Motors investing in the state much before Modi became chief minister in 2001.

Advantage of Centuries
Gujarat has always been a relatively prosperous and economically progressive state. For centuries, it was home to some of the world's richest traders. As a state, it has had the benefit of being close to Mumbai, host to oil and gas pipelines and private ports, home to a dairy movement, and getting remittances from Gujaratis overseas. The high growth in agricultural output can be argued as one of lucky timing for Modi. The push for check dams, water harvesting and micro irrigation, which has resulted in an increase in arable land and agriculture productivity, was seeded by previous administrations. It is also not incorrect to argue that Modi is just doing what every administration should to: create infrastructure, lay out transparent procedures and live by them, be accountable, be a market maker for jobs, judge bureaucrats by performance and minimise mandays lost to strikes.

A robust vendor ecosystem sealed the deal for Bombardier Transportation in Gujarat

Even by those yardsticks, what works for Modi - and splendidly for Gujarat - is the proactive nature of government. Take the much-written about Tata Nano project. In the weeks running up to October 2008, when Ratan Tata decided to pull a half-built Nano factory out of Singur in West Bengal, Modi and his team were preparing a strong pitch for a shift to Gujarat. No sooner had the company made its decision to leave West Bengal official, than Modi sent a one-word text message to Tata's mobile phone.

Suswagatham, or welcome in Sanskrit, it read. It took just 14 months for the first Nano car to roll out from a new factory at Sanand, 40 km west of Ahmedabad; the Singur project had been in the works for 28 months. A joint venture Bharat Forge has with France's Alstom for power equipment has shifted to Mundra from West Bengal, too. "The process is very straightforward and transparent," Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge, says of Gujarat.

Still, the Nano experence showed the Gujarat government a big gap in its value proposition to businesses: missing skills in its people. Tata Motors wanted local manpower as one of the conditions to set up shop in Sanand, says a state official. The government offered a guarantee if the Tatas would partner in training.

Those riding the Gujarat wave

Ford Motors is scouting for a location near Sanand where Tata Nano has a facility
Motorcycle major Hero Group has its eyes on the state for setting up its fourth plant
Korean carmaker Hyundai Motors is scoping locations for its next plant in India
Maruti Suzuki is toying with the idea of setting up an export factory in the state
Hospitality majors Hyatt and Kamat Hotels want to set up hotels and resorts

The missing picture

No presence of software and back-office companies or financial service firms
Domestic market not big enough vis-Ã -vis other states
Petrochemicals still dominates the state's output
Not rich in minerals such as iron ore, aluminium, uranium etc
Lacks higher education institutes, R&D and innovation
Migration of Gujaratis continues to Mumbai and abroad
A missing second line of political leadership after Chief Minister Narendra Modi

Today, 870 youth from a 10-km radius work at the Nano factory. In industrial area Dahej, the government is training 150 young locals whose families had their land acquired. It is spending Rs 70,000 person for two years along with a monthly stipend and accommodation. "We are replicating this model elsewhere in the state," says Arvind Agarwal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corp. Gujarat next is working on what Maheshwar Sahu, Principal Secretary for Industries and Mines, calls "industrial responsive manpower".

The government wants to work with corporates setting up plants to train youth in welding and fittings, besides mechanical and electrical works. "This increases the comfort of a corporate house," says Sahu. In the state budget for 2010-11, the government earmarked Rs 24 crore to train 100,000 youth through 150 village-cluster training centres.

But, for all the mileage the mediasavvy Modi and his team gives the state, Gujarat cannot shed the image of a state in which businesses don't offer equal opportunity to minorities. A dominant Hindu majority runs almost every business, with Muslims pushed to the economy's fringes. Muslims make up 9.1 per cent of the state's population of 50.7 million. There are no consolidated reports, but anecdotal evidence suggests high levels of exclusion in the private sector, especially at entry- and mid-level white-collar jobs.

Hanif Lakdawala, founder of Sanchetna, a human rights organisation that works on urban issues, says it is very difficult for young Muslims to get jobs in the private sector in Gujarat today. "In many of the new malls that have come up, you will see boys and girls with Dalit backgrounds being employed, but not Muslims," he says. The minority is pushed to jobs such as door-to-door sales agents and roadside vendors.

If one reason for this is low literacy levels in the Muslim community, Lakdawala points to how businesses owned by Chiliya Muslims, an enterprising sect owning shops and restaurants, were virtually wiped out in the Godhra riots. Bank loans to Muslims are disproportionately small compared to the deposits they hold, he adds. The effects of such exclusion of minorities from the workforce are difficult to map but does dim the shine of Gujarat's achievements.

Cuts both ways
As land for industrial use becomes scarce across India - from Orissa to Haryana, from West Bengal to Karnataka - Gujarat sees an opportunity to overtake other states and, in November, unveiled a new land acquisition policy. It factors in market prices for land, consent of farmers, a share of profits of industry for farmers, a small commercial plot, and employment to a member of each family from which land has been acquired. "It becomes much easier to attract investments if the fruits of industrialisation are shared with landowners and farmers," says minister Patel.

The policy dovetails with Gujarat's ambitions for its special investment regions - Godzilla-sized industrial sprawls spread over 100 sq. km that will dwarf traditional industrial estates with incentives like zero income tax and excise duties thrown in. Think Shenzen or Hainan special economic zones in China for scale. The government plans 13 such regions, several lying along the proposed high-speed Delhi-Mumbai Dedicated Freight Corridor.

More than one-third of the corridor passes through Gujarat and the government is making big bets that it will power its industrial economy. Business leaders across India agree that manufacturing will be the next big wave in the Indian economy. Gujarat, among Indian states, is best positioned to be on the crest.

Additional reporting by K.R Balasubramanyam

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on the state's development - Business Today

2012-02-15T19:29:00.000+05:30

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on the state's development - Business Today

The Method Man

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on the state's development

Chaitanya Kalbag Edition: Jan 23, 2011

Narendra Modi is not a tall man, but he exudes self assurance and authority. There is something of the High Priest of Mohenjo-Daro about him, presiding at the altar of Capitalist Gujarat under the gaze of an adoring laity. Modi has been chief minister of Gujarat for just over nine years, in itself an enviable stretch. The billboards in Ahmedabad trumpet the January 12-13 Vibrant Gujarat Summit .

There is more of Modi the man in view than of his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. "This government is absolutely apolitical," says Modi. "When I make a decision there is no political consideration."

Indeed, Modi runs Gujarat like a benignly tyrannical CEO. "My government is P2G2," he says. "Propeople, proactive good governance." The firm's top and bottom lines are satisfyingly in the black.

This month's investment jamboree, organised every two years, is the fifth since 2003, and it promises to bring in a fresh torrent of industries and jobs. The last one in 2009 swept aside meltdown gloom with $240 billion in commitments. "After four successful Summits the investments are in autopilot mode," Modi says.

"You can't operate outside the rules," Modi says, "but neither do you need a huge, extraordinary talent to run the government"

These money-fests exemplify Modi's single-minded focus on policy and implementation. "I spent a month or a month-and-a-half supervising micro-details for the first two Summits," he says. "This one is a couple of weeks away and I don't even know who is attending." That is a bit disingenuous, though. Modi has personally led a series of roadshows heralding this Summit, complete with panels of business leaders, video presentations, and slick promotional bumf.

The interview takes place in the chief minister's enclave in Gandhinagar, guarded by gimlet-eyed security. The surroundings are quiet and sylvan. There are no crowds of hangers-on, no fawning supplicants. There are large paper roses in the ante-room, but the air is redolent with the smell of rosewater. To critics who say he runs Gujarat like a one-man show, Modi is quick to emphasise 'Team Gujarat'. "In a democratic system a leader's biggest contribution should be to institutionalise every idea," he says.

"Gujarat's success is because we have institutionalised everything." After we have done talking, Modi, ever the media-savvy politician, spends close to half an hour posing obligingly for the photographer. It is a Thursday afternoon, but affairs of state seem to wait beyond the walls of the sunlit compound.

Page 1 of 2 Next > >>

Gujarat's power sector turnaround story - Business Today - Business News

2012-02-15T19:27:00.000+05:30

Gujarat's power sector turnaround story - Business Today - Business News

The transformer

Gujarat's power sector turnaround story

N. Madhavan Edition: Feb 5, 2012

Executive Summary: Gujarat's power sector was in a shambles in 2001, when Narendra Modi became chief minister. A decade later it is in the forefront of states that have carried out sweeping power reforms, as a result of which it now has surplus power. This case study details the key steps the government took to bring about the change, which was carried out in a manner fair to all stakeholders.

When Narendra Damodardas Modi took over as chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001, he found the state's power situation grim. The Gujarat State Electricity Board, or GSEB, had posted a loss of Rs 2,246 crore for 2000/01, on revenues of Rs 6,280 crore. Interest costs alone were Rs 1,227 crore. Transmission and distribution, or T&D, losses were a substantial 35.27 per cent, and load shedding was frequent. GSEB had no funds to add generation capacity on its own, nor was it able to persuade the private sector to invest.

Reforming the GSEB, thus, became one of Modi's top priorities. "He feared that a bankrupt power utility could derail his vision for the state," says Saurabh Patel, Gujarat's Industries and Power Minister, then as now. "He knew electricity is crucial for growth."

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Modi's first step was to identify a bureaucrat capable of taking on the enormous challenge. He chose Man- jula Subramaniam, a Gujarat cadre officer, who had been joint secretary in the prime minister's office from 1993 to 1998, playing a key role in the country's liberalisation, and appointed her Chairperson of GSEB and Principal Secretary, Energy and Power.

Subramaniam quickly realised that GSEB was too large an entity to be managed effectively. But she did not rush into unbundling it. Instead, she initially concentrated on two areas: bolstering the power utility's finances and building employee morale. Discovering that GSEB had secured loans at interest rates of 18 per cent or more, she sought debt restructuring, convincing banks and financial institutions to lower their rates, which resulted in savings of Rs 500 crore in 2002/03.

Her next step was more radical. Rarely before had electricity boards renegotiated power purchase agreements, or PPAs, already signed with private players. But having examined the PPAs her board had entered into, Subramaniam felt the heat rate - a measure of generator efficiency - had been inflated by the power suppliers, who were consequently charging more than they should have.

Though the private players initially resisted, the government-constituted committee set up for the process stood firm, and ultimately, after more than 18 months of hard bargaining, got the rates lowered, leading to a further saving of Rs 675 crore in 2002/03 and Rs 1,000 crore in 2003/04.

Simultaneously, Modi's government began plugging the leakages in distribution. Power thefts in Gujarat then ranged between 20 per cent in urban areas and 70 per cent in rural regions. It passed a law against power thefts and set up five police stations across the state, solely to nab such thieves. Stringent action began against those who ran up large power bill arrears, including disconnecting their supply.

Unmetered power supply, which some rural areas were getting was stopped altogether, with GSEB entering into a structural loan re-adjustment with Asian Development Bank to fund the installing of meters.

Subramaniam also found that many employees, disturbed by widespread talk of power reforms, feared for their jobs, and were feeling somewhat alienated from GSEB. She appointed a consultant to suggest ways to win back their loyalties.

From mid-2002, armed with the consultant's suggestions, the board began its special effort to reach out to employees. It started training programmes at all levels to reassure them that while people may be redeployed, no one would be laid off. Senior officials increased their interactions with the staff, including holding 'town hall' meetings where they shared details of the board's financial position and encouraged employees to ask questions. An internal newsletter was also started.

Once assured of retaining their jobs, the employees themselves began discussing possible reforms. A 'reforms progress management group', comprising GSEB employees, was also set up.

It was now time for the unbundling. In May 2003, the Gujarat government passed the Gujarat Electricity Industry (Reform and Reorganisation) Act, which divided the GSEB into a holding company, a power generation company, a power transmission company and four distribution companies. This enabled better management and more efficient operations.

Another key reform was the separation of the feeder line that supplied power to the rural areas into two: one to supply power for agricultural needs and other for household and other needs. This was part of the Jyoti Gram Yojna, a scheme Modi announced in 2003 to supply round-theclock power to villages.

"A single feeder has its limitations," says Mukesh Puri, Managing Director of the holding company, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam. "The villages got power for only 12 to 15 hours a day, often of poor quality and at odd hours."

Since the tariff for power used for agricultural purposes was much lower, many used this subsidised supply for their household needs as well, resulting in huge losses for GSEB.

"The chief minister asked us to have separate feeders, which was a path-breaking step no state had attempted before," Puri adds, "The results were good." Though many rural residents had higher power bills to pay than in the past, they cooperated with the government, once they found they were assured of uninterrupted, better quality power.

A study by Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad has estimated that the project saved the state capital expenditure of around Rs 23,000 crore, or about 5,000 megawatts, or MW.

The Modi government has also taken scrupulous care to ensure that the state electricity regulator - unlike in most states - remains truly independent of political pressures. The regulator has, thus, been able to revise power tariffs every year, which ensured the state bridged the gap between the average cost of supply and what users paid for it.

The result? The state electricity board posted its first profit of Rs 203 crore - after tax - in 2005/06. By 2010/11, net profit had risen to Rs 533 crore, while T&D losses had fallen to 20.13 per cent. Tariff collection efficiency is close to 100 per cent. Private players, once reluctant to invest in Gujarat's power generation, are now rushing in: of the power plants with a total installed capacity of 16,945 MW coming up in the state, 6,864 MW - or roughly, a third - is by the private sector. "Abundant power is a major USP of our state today," says minister Patel.

A few worries remain. Though T&D losses have fallen, they are still higher than those of the southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The cost of power in Gujarat has been traditionally high, and remains so.

"Our share of hydel power is very low and our power plants are very far away from coalfields," says Puri. "At times the cost of transporting coal equals the cost of the coal." A sizeable proportion of its power - around 29 per cent - also comes from gas-based plants, and the high cost of gas has forced scaling down the operations of some of them.

But ultimately, it is a remarkable transformation for a state which was power deficient barely a decade ago, but now has a surplus of 2,114 MW and a vibrant energy sector.

The separation of feeders for supply towards agricultural was a master for Gujarat: Kirit S. Parikh

Where there is a will

The Gujarat experience clearly shows what strong political will to reform the electricity sector can achieve. Of the many innovations the state tried, the separation of feeders for supply towards agricultural use was a master stroke. It not only helped farmers get quality power at fixed time but also ensured that leakages were curtailed. It enabled measurement of the power used for agricultural purposes as well, so as to arrive at the exact quantum of subsidy that needs to be reimbursed to the distribution companies. Today feeder separation is being adopted by many others states.

Also the manner in which pilferage was tackled is interesting. I know how the CEO of a state-run distribution company that supplied to one half of a particular city in Gujarat was fully empowered to take all measures to match the low T&D losses of a private sector company that supplied to the other half of the city. The state has also been proactive in promoting renewable energy. By offering to buy solar power at `12.50 per unit, the state will soon see over 350 MW of power from solar energy.

It is true that the cost of electricity is higher in Gujarat but that is because the stateâ€™s electricity regulator has proactively raised prices as costs of generation rose. This makes sense in the long term.

As can be seen, companies foraying into Gujarat are not too concerned about paying a couple of rupees more for consistent and good quality power. The challenge that the state faces is on the T&D loss front where there is still scope for reduction by four percentage points or so. More needs to done there.

Kirit S. Parikh is Ex-member of Planning Commission, and Chairman, Integrated Research and Action for Development

Gujarat's success mix of steps that have both commercial and social overtones: V. Raghuraman

Shining contrast

Commercial losses and poor health are hallmarks of the power utilities of states in India. The distribution companies, or discoms, incurred an accumulated loss of Rs 75,000 crore in 2008/09 which further rose to Rs 106,341 crore in 2009/10. The share of costs recovered has deteriorated from 82.5 per cent in 2006/07 to 77 per cent in 2008/09. The dismal state of affairs is due to continued political pressure opposing reduction in subsidies and efforts to lower distribution losses. Most state utilities have not revised tariffs for a number of years. The state regulatory commissions are independent only on paper and are subject to political compulsions.

Against this backdrop, the performance of Gujarat in turning around the GSEB is noteworthy. Timely tariff revisions have made the sector viable enabling the state to set up adequate generation capacity. The state is in a supply easy position with which it has been able to meet the requirements of the farm sector. It has also been able to meet the subsidy requirements of discoms on this account, which many states have not been able to do.

Gujarat has been able to achieve the growth with a mix of steps that have both commercial and social overtones, with stress on credible implementation and realising rational user charges. The political will along with the turnaround strategy has produced the expected benefits. The worrying signs are high T&D losses, which are still over 20 per cent, and inadequate transmission links. These need to be fixed. The demand for revision of tariffs of utilities, which are using imported coal and have increased costs, if not heeded, could derail the capacity addition plans. However, the track record indicates that Gujarat has the ability to attend to the concerns.

V. Raghuraman is former Principal Analyst, Energy, Confederation of Indian Industry

How Kraft is changing Cadbury India - Business Today - Business News

2012-02-15T19:22:00.000+05:30

How Kraft is changing Cadbury India - Business Today - Business News Soon after its contentious $19-billion acquisition of British confectioner Cadbury in February 2010, US multinational giant Kraft s

Change at the chocolate factory

How Kraft is changing Cadbury India

Geetanjali Shukla and Anusha Subramanian Edition: Feb 19, 2012

et Cadbury's Indian arm a challenge.

WATCH: Interview with Anand Kripalu on Cadbury India's growth plans

Could the company raise its revenues from $400 million, in 2009, to $500 million within a year? Resources for advertising and distribution would not be a problem. Cadbury India pulled out all the stops, rose to the challenge and surpassed it. Sales grew by 30 per cent in 2010. A delighted Kraft pumped in more funds, which saw sales increase by another 40 per cent between January and September 2011.

The development epitomizes the new aggression Kraft has brought in to its Indian arm. The relatively relaxed atmosphere at the company which, for many decades, was synonymous with chocolates in India, and which still holds around 70 per cent market share in chocolates, is history. "Kraft, being an American company, is definitely more aggressive," says Anand Kripalu, President, South Asia and Indo-China, and Managing Director, Cadbury India.

"Ambitions are bigger." A Cadbury India employee, who quit after the Kraft takeover, but prefers not to be named, is blunt. "Targets were defined and raised after Kraft came in," he says. "With Cadbury you could get away with a growth plan, even if you did not achieve your numbers. With Kraft you have to deliver."

There are other advantages of being part of a $50-billion corporation like Kraft. Slowdown or not, advertising spends will not be reduced. "We have almost locked consumer-and customer-facing investments, and that will not be touched," says Kripalu. The company increased its direct reach by 25 per cent in 2011 to more than 700,000 stores and added 5,000 sub-stockists to penetrate deeper into smaller towns. It is building refrigeration in its entire supply chain and investing heavily in sales infrastructure like visi coolers and chocolate dispensers. "It feels good to be part of a really large company," says Narayan Sundararaman, Director, Powdered Beverages, Candy and Gum, at Cadbury India. "The resources, and, therefore, the horizons are much bigger and wider than they were before."

Click here to Enlarge

Kraft is also putting in place a new organisational structure at Cadbury India - the process being called 'Project Leap' - aimed at integrating the company more closely with its new parent and moving it away from being primarily a chocolate manufacturer to producer of a wide range of snacks. "After the integration with Kraft, it was clear that we wanted to go beyond confectionery in the future," says Kripalu. To that end Kraft has separated Cadbury India into five divisions or 'category boards' - chocolates, biscuits, gum and candy, the wellknown malted drink Bournvita and the fruit-flavoured 'cold drink' Tang.

Each board is headed by a director who has his separate sales, marketing, distribution and research and development teams and reports to the country managing director. "Each market has a different DNA," says Kripalu.

Yet, the disruption has not been without its downside: many employees were far from pleased. Four key senior executives quit the company in 2010/11, including the marketing, finance and legal services heads. The main reason appears to be that while Cadbury relied greatly on inputs from the local managers to shape local strategies, Kraft does not. "Kraft has stringent decisionmaking processes in place and prefers that they are followed," says a former Cadbury India manager. So too, while Cadbury allowed local officials a fair degree of autonomy, Kraft believes it knows best. "Under Cadbury, we only got guidelines from the UK," says another former executive. "It gave the local management a lot of freedom. Kraft, on the other hand, is focused on controls."

Kripalu responds candidly to the charges. "There are more reporting layers and some decisions take longer. But from a business perspective, Kraft is hugely empowering," he says.

Kraft has got it right... Oreo is priced cheaper than ITC's Dark Fantasy and Britannia's Dark Magic biscuits, though cookies are smaller in size: Sunil Alagh

One of the crucial gains for Kraft from the acquisition - as many analysts have pointed out - is the entry it gave the corporation into India's vast, emerging market. It had made an initial push a decade ago, but with products inappropriately priced and lacking a good distribution network, failed to make a dent. But this time, riding in on Cadbury's brand reputation and network, the story is shaping out differently. Apart from growing Tang, it has already launched its billion-dollar biscuit brand Oreo in India. It has another 10 top global brands in its stable, but company officials said there are no immediate plans of putting them on Indian shelves.

The success of Kraft has opened people's eyes. A lot of play is possible if the offer is right and you are able to communicate value to the customer: Chitranjan Dar

How has Oreo, launched last March, fared? So far, its share of the Rs 13,000-crore biscuit market, dominated by Parle and Britannia, is a miniscule 0.7 per cent, according to market tracker Nielsen, but given Kraft's clout, no one is writing it off yet. "They have got it right this time round," says Sunil Alagh, former CEO of Britannia. "Oreo is priced cheaper than ITC's Dark Fantasy and Britannia's Dark Magic biscuits, though the cookies are slightly smaller in size." But he adds that while Cadbury India has a sound distribution network for the premium segment in which chocolate falls, it needs to revamp if it hopes to take on the biscuit biggies. "A large part of the biscuit market is in lowmargin, low-price products," adds Pinakiranjan Mishra, Partner and National Leader, Retail and Consumer Products, Ernst & Young. "It is going to be very challenging for new and premium players entering this market."

Anand Kripalu
Q&A ANAND KRIPALU

'I have more autonomy than most MDs'

Anand Kripalu, President, South Asia and Indo-China, and MD, Cadbury India, spoke with Geetanjali Shukla and Anusha Subramanian. Edited excerpts:

How has the transition from a British-owned company to an American one been?
You have to recognise that it was a hostile takeover globally. But in their hearts, the two companiesâ€™ values were very consistent. What was different was the nature of the brands, the categories and the ways of working. I have more autonomy now in what I do in India than I did in the Cadbury world. I have more autonomy than most MDs in other MNCs in India. People donâ€™t breathe down our necks all the time. We can decide pretty much what innovation to launch. We can influence pack design.

Are we likely to see a name change here in India given the restructuring of Kraft Foods globally?
The US company will be called Kraft Foods and the global snacking company will take a new name. I would like us to take the name of the right parent company. Corporate logo will undergo a change and some amount of equity building from a corporate name standpoint will have to be done. You can say that itâ€™s an opportunity at least in India. We did not change the name after the takeover. So we will change it once and for all.

When will we see more brands being rolled out from the Kraft stable?
We still believe in the philosophy that less is more and that we have to do a few things and do them well. The launch of Oreo and Tang in 2011 doesnâ€™t mean that you can extrapolate the line and assume that we are going to do many things in the future.

What are your plans to tap the rural and Tier-II markets?
Our portfolio so far has been more of an urban portfolio. Per capita consumption of chocolates in rural markets is close to zero. In the last two years, we have penetrated small towns very aggressively. We were not only urban earlierâ€¦ we were focused on large urban towns. Now we have more or less reached all urban centres. We are putting together a distribution model that will take our products to the rural markets.

Click here to Enlarge

Still, the Rs 3,000-crore chocolate market, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15 to 20 per cent, will remain Cadbury India's mainstay for some time to come. But there is competition, with global brands like Ferrero Rocher making inroads, while Amul and Nestle, too, remain in the fray.

In Roald Dahl's classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - also made into a film starring Johnny Depp - the wacky confectioner Willy Wonka gets a new family at the end. Cadbury India has found a new family too, but the adjustment process is having its share of hiccups.

Additional reporting by Suman Layak

A guide on how to save yourself from online fraud - Business Today - Business News

2012-02-15T19:14:00.000+05:30

A guide on how to save yourself from online fraud - Business Today - Business News

Cyber crime

A guide on how to save yourself from online fraud

Anamika Butalia Edition: Feb 5, 2012

In late 2010, Tejas Shah found he had a serious problem. A week earlier, the sales vice president had lost his official laptop on a flight. Before the IT team could wipe the hard drive, his email account had been compromised.

The hacker found Shah's birth date, address, phone number, credit card details-which Shah shared over a chat with his wife-and information on his investments. Soon Shah's bank account showed unauthorised withdrawals.

It was not till four long months after lodging a complaint, that the cyber crime cell of the Mumbai Police could track down the culprit. This story is a warning. Laptop thieves generally recycle stolen devices but the person who stole Shah's laptop was after a bigger prize. And he knew exactly how and where to find it. The stakes are getting higher and we show you how stay on guard online.

PASSWORDS
The first frontier of defence is a strong password. A strong password should be at least seven characters long, have lower and upper case letters, and a mix of symbols and numbers. Memorising a randomly generated password that doesn't have any personal significance is safest. Never share passwords in an email, chat or SMS and make your secondary security questions or hints hard to guess. A basic and inviolable rule of thumb is to change your passwords every three months.

SOCIAL NETWORKING
Sharing information with people whom you've only met online is a common cyber mistake and the easiest to exploit. Be alert and report all requests for sensitive information especially billing details. Politely refuse to befriend anyone whose identity cannot be vouchsafed on networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Downloading and installing unverified applications may seem safe since you trust the routing website but backfires if the applications hack your account. Be responsible about which applications you permit to access your information.

ONLINE SHOPPING
Online shopping is another security nightmare. This year, Pune's cyber crime cell cracked a case that involved the misuse of as many as 100 credit cards. The two-year-long investigation began when one cardholder received a notification for the purchase of an air ticket he hadn't bought. More mystifying was that his card had stayed stowed in his wallet the whole while. The police were able to arrest a group of scamsters that had accessed his details over an unsecured online purchase earlier. If you're buying online, find out precisely how the vendor will store or share your information. Only shop with trusted merchants, those who offer SSL encryption and have been digitally signed by web-security sites like VeriSign. Report messages from third-party payment services to confirm account details or other personal data. Crucially, never use billed services on public computers.

ONLINE BANKING
Banking safely online is the key to cyber security. Begin by making sure you've typed in the right URL, since dummy sites are a dime a dozen and by keeping your password safe. "On a monthly basis, we inform our customers never to share personal banking details like netbanking passwords or ATM pins with any one," says Sukriti Soni, senior marketing executive at HDFC Bank. "Should they get [such] a call or email, customers ought to report abuse."

Additional measures include logging out immediately after completing a transaction. Avoid accessing your account from shared computers as these can have keyloggers, screen recorders or other malicious software. Sign up for SMS notifications so you are instantly alerted to any unauthorised transactions.

Genuine software
As internet speeds improve, people are downloading freeware rather than purchasing software legitimately. To make sure the software is genuine and spyware-free, download directly from a company's website or run a Google search first to authenticate it. If buying a disk, look for holograms on the packaging and check the serial numbers and registration keys. Save all original licenses and documents and adhere to usage policies of the supplier. Flouting these norms invalidates the warranty and can prove dangerous. Staying safe online isn't just about protecting your privacy. Because of an increasing reliance on online services, a single slip-up could put your finances in the hands of an unscrupulous hacker. With the freedom the internet offers, comes a new host of responsibilities. Surf safe.

Pillow talk as important as sex : Relationship News - India Today

2012-02-15T19:11:00.000+05:30

Pillow talk as important as sex : Relationship News - India Today

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Make her yours: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

2012-02-15T16:59:00.000+05:30

Make her yours: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

Kiss right to win her heart

Make her yoursBy: Wonder Woman Team

Keep her enthusiastic

Reduce her stress

Send issues packing

Perhaps you've been somebody's Best Kiss. You won her over and made her swoon. You've probably also had your share of makeout disasters-either you didn't put in the effort, or your mouth tasted like beer. The difference between the two? Chemistry- both literal and figurative. A whole host of parameters converge at the moment your lips come together. Kissing has a lot of power-it can either promote or negate the continuation of that relationship.

Being a great kisser-mastering those lingering, luxuriant lip-locks that she loves but that men tend to shun-can boost the frequency and quality of your bedroom action, studies suggest. So hone this vital mating skill, whether you're targeting the ruby reds of a promising vacation fling or sidling up to your long-term mate. What follows is our guide...

Make her yours
When she's sizing up your potential as a suitable and genetically compatible mate, her attention will linger on your mouth. A study showed that the appearance of a man's teeth helps determine his kissability.

Women in the study were also more likely than men to factor in chemical cues-his breath, for example, and the taste of his mouth. Kissing provides information about a person's health and hormonal status, because the sebaceous glands are regulated by sex hormones.

Lip service
Don't try to telegraph your genetic suitability right away. Wait until the second or third date. Consider some breath freshener or a lozenge and take the initiative. If a man is coming off as self-assured, this will make him appear more attractive at the moment of the kiss. Most important, start off easy. Kiss lightly around her mouth, on her cheeks, or on her neck-that's a very sensual thing to do. Then when you reach her mouth, kiss her very softly on the lips-no insert-tongue-here kisses.

Men inherit heart risk from father: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

2012-02-15T16:57:00.000+05:30

Men inherit heart risk from father: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?Scientists have discovered a common inherited genetic variant in men which increases their risk of developing heart disease, a danger which they say also gets passed on to their sons.

The British study, published in The Lancet, found that men with a particular version of the Y chromosome, were 50 per cent more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to angina, heart attacks and heart failure.

And those having the variant are also more likely to pass on the danger to their male children, the scientists claimed.

Dr Maciej Tomaszewski, from the University of Leicester who led the study said: "We are very excited about these findings as they put the Y chromosome on the map of genetic susceptibility to coronary artery disease. "We wish to further analyse the human Y chromosome to find specific genes and variants that drive this association."

Coronary heart disease, which reduces the delivery of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, affects more men than women and results in thousands deaths worldwide every year.

In the study, the researchers genotyped 11 markers of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome in 3,233 biologically unrelated British men from three cohorts -- the British Heart Foundation Family Heart Study (BHF-FHS), West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), and Cardiogenics Study.

A DNA analysis showed that 90 per cent of the men carried one of two common versions of the Y chromosomes, called haplogroup I and haplogroup R1b1b2.

It was also found that carriers of haplogroup I had about a 50 per cent higher age-adjusted risk of CAD than did men with other Y chromosome lineages in BHF-FHS, WOSCOPS, and joint analysis of both populations.

The association between haplogroup I and increased risk of CAD was independent of traditional cardiovascular and socio-economic risk factors, such as age, BMI, blood pressure, lipids, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption among others.

Further analysis showed that men with haplogroup I showed downregulation of adaptive immunity as well as upregulation of inflammatory response pathways in their immune system cells compared with carriers of other Y chromosome types.

These data show that predisposition to CAD in men might, at least in part, be determined by the paternal lineage of their Y chromosome and that this effect on risk of coronary artery disease is most likely mediated through the immune response, the researchers said.

"Our study is the first to evaluate associations between main European Y chromosome lineages and CAD as well as its underlying risk factors... It revealed that the Y chromosome might have a magnified effect on men beyond sex determination despite the small number of genes it harbours in the human genome," they concluded.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Virginia Miller at Mayo Clinic in Rochester said: "Future research should include exploration of potential interconnections among pathways relating immunity to other forms of cardiovascular disease, such as those identified for various cardiomyopathies."

You develop a new interest : Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

2012-02-15T16:51:00.000+05:30

You develop a new interest : Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

Surprising things that test your love

You develop a new interestBy: Wonder Woman

Your best couple friends split

You kick a bad habit

Your single friends are having a blast

Get social

Utilities

You know that having a life outside couplehood is crucial to a well-balanced relationship. You've also taken all the DIY stories to heart 'coz you do see the sense behind the sentiment. After all, the moment you do a little I'm-on-my-own-trip act once in a while, he does seem to crave more for you and vice versa. But sometimes pursuing new activities solo-whether you start taking salsa lessons or your guy or you decide to head back to grad school-can put a crimp in your connection.

Between dealing with your day-to-day responsibilities, getting ahead at work, and maintaining friendships finding time for each other is already difficult. Throw a new, separate interest into the mix and you have even less time-and common ground-to share.

That doesn't mean you should ditch your extra-curricular pursuits. There are ways to help close the gap so one of you doesn't feel dejected. For starters, try to bring each other in to the outside activity. Teach him your new salsa moves, and then take him out dancing. Or simply ask him about his new endeavour. The mistake many couples make is assuming that the other person isn't interested in what they're doing, so they don't talk about it with each other. This ends up creating even more distance and resentment between them. Always remember that being a good listener is abso-important.

Though these mutual check-ins will keep you in touch with each other's separate lives, making regular one-on-one time a top priority is still key. So try and factor in 'us' time.

What's an easy, sexy dessert I can make for a special lady friend? : Advisory - MensHealth

2012-02-15T16:27:00.000+05:30

What's an easy, sexy dessert I can make for a special lady friend? : Advisory - MensHealth

What's an easy, sexy dessert I can make for a special lady friend?

Aditya Bal

Cook up some love
What's an easy, sexy dessert I can make for a special lady friend?
Aditya Bhatta, New Delhi

I like your enthusiasm Adi! Here's what you do: whip up a low-cal fruit salad for fitness conscious adults. Dice a few cups of mango, pineapple and papaya. Toss with chopped tarragon, a few glugs of OJ, and a splash of dark rum. Serve with a scoop of tropical-fruit sorbet.

Eggcellent!
How do I make perfect scrambled eggs?
Sudip Bhargava, New Delhi

Great scrambled eggs take patience, not firepower. Melt a bit of butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat, and when the butter foams, add three unbeaten eggs to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, and beat the eggs continuously with a wooden spoon, gently scraping the cooked egg from the bottom of the pan as you go. Just before the eggs are done, add a tablespoon of milk: this will keep them moist and light, nothing like dry, rubbery, ugly looking eggs.

Beat post-workout blues with cherries : Tips - MensHealth

2012-02-15T16:25:00.000+05:30

Beat post-workout blues with cherries : Tips - MensHealth

If you're a lifter, you're surely familiar with the dreaded delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). You get it the day after pushing yourself especially hard. It starts when tiny muscle tears begin to heal.

Fight back by eating black cherries, black rice and blueberries- dark-pigmented foods are packed with anthocyanins that speed oxygen via the blood, reducing muscle inflammation, minimising post-workout pain and boosting recovery. Go to the dark side- the force is strong in these ones.

Unbreak my heart: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

2012-02-15T16:21:00.000+05:30

Unbreak my heart: Wonder Woman - Who are you today?

Unbreak my heart

Dr Prabha Chandra

It has inspired generations of poets and lyricists. Yet when it occurs, few are prepared to handle it. A heartbreak can occur in a number of situations, perpetuated by lovers, spouses, friends, children and sometimes even parents. Those who have experienced it know that mending a broken heart is never easy. The sense of rejection and loss of meaning that it brings can be both overwhelming and devastating.

Behavioural scientists have found that the loss of the sense of value and purpose you feel because of the relationship appears to be the key in heartbreak. This is because our sense of identity appears to be attached to the relationship. 'He values me enough to be with me, I am important to him,' runs the chain of thought when we think of the loved one.

Is there something called a 'broken heart' in the physical sense of the term?
While the emotional consequences of a broken heart are well known, cardiologists have recently become aware of the physical 'Broken Heart Syndrome' (BHS). This is a condition in which the left ventricle of the heart becomes suddenly dysfunctional in the face of overwhelming stress. A recent article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology describes stress cardiomyopathy as 'a rapidly reversible form of acute heart failure reported to be triggered by stressful events.'

BHS may be triggered not just by the conventional 'heartbreak' related to an estranged relationship but by any extreme and sudden emotional trauma. Women are seven to nine times more likely to suffer from this physical BHS than men. Though scary, this is a reversible condition that can be handled by cardiologists. However, data regarding gender differences in emotional heart break is equivocal.

Is it really possible for us to shield ourselves from a heart break?
When Toni Braxton sings, 'Unbreak my heart', we all know that un-breaking is not that simple. Protecting, mending and healing is what we can and must aim for. It's not easy, but it is possible. Though each one of us who has ever gone through heartbreak felt terrible when it happened, most of us moved on and found courage and a new meaning to life and eventually a healthier relationship. Not just with a partner, but also with our self. Here are some ways to achieve this.

Never allow your relationship to be the only determinant of your self-worth.

Keep your interests alive (other than those involving your loved one).
Make sure you always have a good support system.
Be alert. Don't miss the early signs of rejection.
Stop yourself from expecting too much from the relationship and the person involved.

Whey to lose : Tips - MensHealth

2012-02-15T16:18:00.000+05:30

Whey to lose : Tips - MensHealth

To drop weight, you need to cut back on certain foods-but not dairy. Milk and other dairy products can help dieters slim down and beef up, say Canadian researchers.

Their study found that heavy people who exercised every day and followed a high-protein, high-dairy (and calorie-restricted) diet for 16 weeks lost about 5kg of fat and gained 1kg of muscle.

Those who ate less dairy and protein still lost weight, but they also lost muscle. The reasons: milk may help regulate appetite, and its whey protein can activate muscle growth.

Look hot in ethnic wear: Wonder Woman - What are you today?

2012-02-15T16:15:00.000+05:30

Look hot in ethnic wear: Wonder Woman - What are you today?

Pink gets hot with designers: Wonder Woman - What are you today?

2012-02-15T16:14:00.000+05:30

Pink gets hot with designers: Wonder Woman - What are you today?

Cosmopolitan: How to flirt with any man...

2012-02-15T16:12:00.000+05:30

Cosmopolitan: How to flirt with any man...

How to flirt with any man...

Asmita Aggarwal

Making a guy fall for you doesn’t have to involve pick-up lines or clever chatter. Experts say that body language is more powerful than words, and Cosmo’s genius flirting tricks will turn you into a (silent) assassin!

Don’t make a move
There’s a lot of mixed advice going around about being the one to approach a guy. And while confidence is sexy, in a social scenario, it is best to let a guy make the first move. A recent study found that a guy is more likely to go out with a woman if he’s the one who approaches her, rather than vice versa. That doesn’t mean you have to just wait around for him to come over—there are other tricks below that’ll help push things along.

Smile smart
Perfect your come-hither look. Tilt your head slightly down and to the side, then look up from under your lashes and smile. This pose shows guys it’s okay to approach.

Look sensual
Slightly slow down all your gestures—cross and uncross your legs slowly, stroke your neck deliberately, or lazily fix your hair.

Divide and rule
Men tend to be intimidated by a pack of girls, so hit up a bar with just two friends. If you see a guy you like, pull away slightly from your pals and scan the room. When your eyes fall on your target, hold eye contact for a few seconds to let him know you’ve noticed him.

Get into flirt mode
“Make the most of body language,” says Violet Blue, author of Total Flirt. Your body sends out messages you may not even consciously know, and even minor adjustments can change how men perceive you. Which is why it’s important to turn on your Flirt Mode when out. To do, pull your shoulders back and take a deep breath, imagining your breath pulling your chest wider and pulling the centre of your chest up towards the ceiling. Straighten your back and arch the lower back slightly (a good way to do this, and also make your legs look longer and butt more attractive, is to wear heels). “When you make your Flirt Mode stance, you’re going to project an aura of confidence and happiness,” says Violet.

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Cosmopolitan: V-Day special: 4 words that seduce any man!

2012-02-15T16:10:00.000+05:30

Cosmopolitan: V-Day special: 4 words that seduce any man!Whispering almost any naughty line to a guy is the sexual equivalent of 3-D glasses—it heightens the entire experience for him. But after talking to a bunch of men recently, we learned there are four specific words every man longs to hear the most. The phrase that unleashes his lust? ‘I want you now’. We asked experts why that is, and here they explain the reasons...

It Shocks the Hell Out of Him
Hearing those words when you’re unzipping his pants or aggressively pushing him down on the bed does mind-melting things to a guy, sure, but if uttered someplace completely innocuous, like the park, they are even hotter. “That line out of context, when he least expects it, triggers his desire instantly,” says psychotherapist Stephen Johnson, Ph.D., director of the Men’s Centre of Los Angeles.

“When a guy is erotically surprised, it actually causes his brain to release endorphins and neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine that affect his mood and put him in a physiological state of arousal.” In addition, because the phrase is so blunt, it taps in to racy fantasies that most men have about raw, spontaneous, even animalistic action.

Here’s the thing, though: you need to be strategic when you say it. You want that shock factor, but then it’s also key to repeat the phrase when you’re back between the sheets to drive the point home that you’re actually going to make good on your promise. “If you whisper the magic words when there’s no way you can have sex in the near future—as you’re walking out the door to go on vacation with friends or during a trip with your parents—it’s crying wolf,” says sex therapist Sadie Allison, author of Ride ’Em Cowgirl.

It Lets Him Know You’re in Charge
When you make that kind of sexual advance, he reads it as your being aggressive. This is especially true if you repeat the line in bed, because it reinforces that you initiated the night of fun. “Many guys’ number-one wish is to be slightly dominated by a woman,” says Johnson. Not only will your take-charge attitude rile him up, but you’ll also love what it does to you. “When a woman goes after what she wants and gets it, it makes her feel powerful,” says Allison. “And power is very erotic.”

Finally, it can be easy to forget that dudes need to feel desired as well. When you say those words, it tells him just that. “Men are socialised and trained to let women know how hot they are,” says Warren Farrell, Ph.D., author of Why Men Are The Way They Are. “Guys want that too—they want to know that it’s not just sex she wants; it’s him. With this, you’re implying that you want him so badly, you can’t wait...and honestly, that makes him feel like a god.”

The better half : Sex & Relationships - MensHealth

2012-02-15T16:07:00.000+05:30

The better half : Sex & Relationships - MensHealth

The better half

13 Things women are better at than you.

1. Changing their minds: As endorsed by the economist JM Keynes—“When facts change, I change my mind, what do you do sir?”—it’s the tactical flexibility that averts disasters, keeps poker players solvent and makes relationships last. It also means she’ll try out at least three outfits before she leaves the house.

2. Holding grudges: Men boil over with anger, women simmer. The result is a female ability to hold on to vendettas that leaves the Mafia looking flighty in comparison.

3. Crying: Men cry sparingly and reluctantly. Women adopt the waterworks approach—anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Hell, they don’t even need to be sad. Tears will flow to get things, get themselves out of trouble and, most frequently, to throw you off your stride. Stay frosty.

4. Dressing badly: In her hands a fashion faux pas is dusted with dirty magic. A jumpsuit with Kardashian curves straining against its seams may violate all rules of taste, but it’s a defibrillator for the libido.

5. Shopping: Try matching her stride during a sale at Zara, even if she’s already carrying 14 bags of branded goop. We dare ya.

6. Eating sugar: You may be the Don when it comes to the spicy stuff, but when dessert arrives, you will be owned.

7. Listening: She won’t start spewing solutions at the drop of a hat. And most times, the silence is more appreciated, even if it’s accompanied with a superior, I-told-you-so look.

8. Hating other women: Particularly ones who drip LV, monopolise men in every conversation, wear hot pants in the gym, own a better brick breaker score and call or BBM you after 11 pm. Them and Nicole Scherzinger.

9. Having long hair: These men invest Rs 4,000 more to sport a less-stylish look that lasts two weeks than a woman with a pair of straighteners that cost Rs 1,500 and come with a two-year warranty.

10. Asking for directions: We know: Male ego. Doesn’t equate with her arriving at a party earlier than you, even if she took an hour more to get ready.

11. Lying: It’s not that she’s better-worded when it comes to speaking. She’s just got a stronger sixth sense (and a sense of smell, FYI), which makes it easier to catch you out.

12. Driving: Inspite of women driver jokes that never get old, women are better drivers simply because they’re more cautious. It’s also why they’re better investors.

13. Bravery: Seriously, do you know what actually happens when a child is born? There are a whole lot of details doctors, parents and bio teachers choose to gloss over.

Put the squeeze on heart attack : Tips - MensHealth

2012-02-15T16:05:00.000+05:30

Put the squeeze on heart attack : Tips - MensHealth

This is your chance to be a lifesaver. If that pasty guy sitting next to you on the bus suffers a heart attack, squeeze his bicep. This 'conditioning' will restrict blood flow from the muscle and go to his heart, guarding against further damage.

Scientists in the department of cardiovascular sciences at the University of Leicester compiled results of previous studies and laboratory and clinical tests to suggest that five minutes of firm, constant pressure will do the trick.

It's probably best to establish if your 'patient' is experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath and nausea before clutching his arm... lest he swings it at your face.

| Video | Massive mock drill in Delhi to check quake preparedness | India Videos | - India Today

2012-02-15T15:58:00.000+05:30

| Video | Massive mock drill in Delhi to check quake preparedness | India Videos | - India Today

Gene Chip for Personalized Meds -- Psychiatrists Can Now Predict An Individual Patient's Response To A Drug

2012-02-15T15:21:00.000+05:30

Gene Chip for Personalized Meds -- Psychiatrists Can Now Predict An Individual Patient's Response To A Drug

How Doctors Think

2012-02-15T14:47:00.001+05:30

How Doctors Think

How Doctors Think

On average, a physician will interrupt a patient describing her symptoms within eighteen seconds.

In that short time, many doctors decide on the likely diagnosis and best treatment.

Often, decisions made this way are correct, but at crucial moments they can also be wrong -- with catastrophic consequences.

In this myth-shattering book, Jerome Groopman pinpoints the forces and thought processes behind the decisions doctors make.

Groopman explores why doctors err and shows when and how they can -- with our help -- avoid snap judgments, embrace uncertainty, communicate effectively, and deploy other skills that can profoundly impact our health.

This book is the first to describe in detail the warning signs of erroneous medical thinking and reveal how new technologies may actually hinder accurate diagnoses.

How Doctors Think offers direct, intelligent questions patients can ask their doctors to help them get back on track.

For more information about the title How Doctors Think, read the full description at Amazon.com, or see the following related books:

The Medical Detectives (Plume) — It all seems routine. You come home from a weekend in the mountains and complain of a headache the next day. Tuesday you have a slight fever and ... > read more

The Merck Manual of Medical Information: 2nd Home Edition (Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition) — For more than 100 years doctors have been coming to us for advice. Now you can, too. The Merck Manual has traditionally provided exclusive, ... > read more

Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance — The struggle to perform well is universal: each one of us faces fatigue, limited resources, and imperfect abilities in whatever we do. But nowhere is ... > read more

Tics and Tourette's: Breakthrough Discoveries in Natural Treatments — For decades, finding information on alternative treatments for tics has been next to impossible. There’s a widespread desire to avoid ... > read more

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ScienceDaily: Space & Time Books

2012-02-15T14:45:00.001+05:30

ScienceDaily: Space & Time Books

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

A New York Times bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly ... > full story

Baby Treadmill -- Kinesiologists Design Tiny Treadmill To Help Balance Baby Steps In Down Syndrome Infants

2012-02-15T14:43:00.000+05:30

Baby Treadmill -- Kinesiologists Design Tiny Treadmill To Help Balance Baby Steps In Down Syndrome Infants

Cannabis use doubles chances of vehicle crash, review finds

2012-02-15T14:37:00.001+05:30

Cannabis use doubles chances of vehicle crash, review finds

Cannabis Use Doubles Chances of Vehicle Crash, Review Finds

A new review finds that drivers who consume cannabis within three hours of driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a vehicle collision as those who are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. (Credit: © Richard Villalon / Fotolia)

ScienceDaily (Feb. 10, 2012) — Drivers who consume cannabis within three hours of driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a vehicle collision as those who are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, claims a paper published recently on theBritish Medical Journal website.

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The paper's authors, from Dalhousie University, reviewed nine studies with a total sample of 49,411 people to determine whether the consumption of cannabis increases the risk of a motor vehicle collision.

This is the first review to look at various observational studies concerned with the risk of vehicle collision after the consumption of cannabis. Previous studies have failed to separate the effects of alcohol and other substances from the use of cannabis, resulting in a lack of agreement.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally and recent statistics have shown a significant increase in use across the world. Rates of driving under influence have also increased. A roadside survey carried out in Scotland in 2007 showed that out of 537 drivers tested, 15% aged 17-39 admitted to having consumed cannabis within 12 hours of driving.

All motor vehicle collisions involved in the study took place on a public road and involved one or more moving vehicles such as cars, vans, sports utility vehicles, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Results were taken through blood samples or direct self-report.

Results show that if cannabis is consumed before driving a motor vehicle, the risk of collision is nearly doubled. Previous results have also found that there is also a substantially higher chance of collision if the driver is aged 35 or younger.

In conclusion, the authors suggest that the consumption of cannabis impairs motor tasks important to safe driving, increasing the chance of collisions and that future reviews should assess less severe collisions from a general driving population.

The author of an accompanying editorial, from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, questions the benefits of roadside drug testing on public health. He argues that further evidence of this is required so that countries already carrying out drug testing can help to inform those countries that have yet to introduce it.

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Sex makes malaria parasite go ‘bananas’ - Indian Express

2012-02-15T14:26:00.001+05:30

Sex makes malaria parasite go ‘bananas’ - Indian ExpressThe malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) changes into a banana shape before sexual reproduction, an Australian research team has found.

The finding could provide targets for vaccine or drug development and may explain how the parasite evades the human immune system.

The team was led by Dr Matthew Dixon and PhD student Megan Dearnley from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Dixon said the new study solves a 130-year old mystery, revealing how the most deadly of human malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum performs its shape-shifting.

“In 1880 the banana or crescent shape of the malaria parasite was first seen in the blood of a patient. Using a 3D microscope technique, we reveal that malaria uses a scaffold of special proteins to form a banana shape before sexual reproduction,” said Dr Dixon.

“As the malaria parasite can only reproduce in its ‘banana form’, if we can target these scaffold proteins in a vaccine or drug, we may be able to stop it reproducing and prevent malaria transmission entirely,” he added.

When in its banana shape, the malaria parasite is passed from a human host to a mosquito where it reproduces in the mosquito gut. The study found that specific proteins form scaffolds, called microtubules, which lie underneath the parasite surface and elongate it into the sexual stage banana shape.

The work suggests that when the parasites are ready for sexual reproduction, they adopt the banana shape so that they can fit through the tiny sinusoidal slits in the spleen. This enables them to avoid the host’s mechanical filtering and immune surveillance mechanisms and to survive in the circulation long enough to be picked up by a mosquito and transmitted to the next victim.

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Human shock absorber 'discovered' - Indian Express

2012-02-15T14:24:00.001+05:30

Human shock absorber 'discovered' - Indian Express In a pioneering research, scientists claim to have discovered human "shock absorber" which they say performs the same function in people as shock absorbers do in a car.

An international team, led by the University of Sydney, has, in fact, found the molecular structure in the body which functions as human "shock absorber", the 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences' reported.

The scientists say the discovery of the the molecule can be used on designing improved versions of a human blood vessel and on repairing skin damage, including burns, and can also be applied to treating cardiovascular disease and emphysema, a

lung disease which primarily causes shortness of breath.

"This exciting discovery answers the mystery of how our bodies accommodate our living tissue without it being torn to shreds by its interaction with so many moving parts," said Professor Tony Weiss, who led the team.

In fact, the team dissected a key part of the molecule in elastin, the protein that keeps tissues such as skin, lungs and blood vessels elastic during normal processes such as body movement, breathing and blood circulation. Using a high-powered combination of synchronised X-ray beams and elastin synthesis tools, the team discovered that human elastin contains a molecular bridge or "shock absorber".

"This tiny shock absorber neatly connects specialised molecular parts -- one part is dedicated to elasticity and another part dedicated to binding living tissue.

"It performs the same function for humans at a molecular level as shock absorbers do in a car; we can enjoy a smooth ride as they keep the body of the car from being violently rattled by the movement of the wheels," Weiss said.

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Want to taste real hot shot? Try Naga Chilli Vodka - Indian Express

2012-02-15T14:18:00.001+05:30

Want to taste real hot shot? Try Naga Chilli Vodka - Indian Express Want to enjoy a real hot shot? Try Vodka made from the "Naga Jolokia" -- one of the world's hottest chillis found in northeast India.

The Naga Chilli Vodka rates 1000,000 on the Scoville scale - the international method of measuring the heat in a chilli - making it the most potent chilli vodka ever to be sold, the Mail Online reported.

The chilli used in the Vodka is the Naga Jolokia, which is hotter than most law-enforcement grade pepper sprays. The drink is made by fermenting litres of Vodka with 18kg of the fiery peppers. The resulting concoction is left for several weeks to infuse.

Once the Vodka has turned a dark caramel colour, the infusion is complete and the Vodka can be bottled.

The resulting spirit measures 100,000 on the Scoville scale - twice as hot as Tabasco, and almost on a par with the level of heat from a Habanero or Scotch bonnet chilli.

Expert mixologists recommend the new Vodka be used in a classic Bloody Mary for a drink with extra kick.

Dawn Davies, an expert said: "This product is truly one of a kind and we anticipate the type of customer to buy this will be a chilli connoisseur who understands the rarity and incredible strength of such a product."

The Scoville scale is named after Wilbur Scoville who developed the test in 1912.

Child abuse leaves a long-lasting mark on brain: study - Indian Express

2012-02-15T14:07:00.001+05:30

Child abuse leaves a long-lasting mark on brain: study - Indian Express Abuse and maltreatment during childhood can shrink important parts of the brain that could lead to psychiatric disorders like depression, drug addiction and other mental health problems later in life, according to

Harvard scientists.

The link between childhood abuse and reduced brain volume in parts of the hippocampus could help find new, better ways to treat survivors of childhood abuse, the scientists said.

"These results may provide one explanation for why childhood abuse has been identified with an increased risk for drug abuse or psychosis," study researcher Martin Teicher of Harvard University told LiveScience.

"Now that one can look at these sub-regions in the brain, we can get a better idea of what treatments are helping."

For their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, Teicher and his team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 193 individuals between 18 and 25 years old, who had already undergone several rounds of testing to be qualified.

They then analysed the size of areas in the hippocampus and compared the results with the patient's history.

It was found that those who had been abused, neglected or maltreated based on well-established questionnaires as children had reduced volume in certain areas of hippocampus by about six per cent, compared with kids who hadn't experienced child abuse.

They also had size reductions in a related brain area, called the subiculum, which relays the signals from the hippocampus to other areas of the brain, including the

dopamine system, also known as the brain's "reward centre".

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High school kids perform best with 7 hours sleep - Indian Express

2012-02-15T14:04:00.001+05:30

High school kids perform best with 7 hours sleep - Indian Express 16-18 year olds perform better academically when they shave about two hours off from 9 hours of sleep recommended for them by federal guidelines, a new study has claimed.

The new study by Eric Eide and Mark Showalter from Brigham Young University is the first in a series of studies where they examine sleep and its impact on our health and education.

“We’re not talking about sleep deprivation,” Eide, the study author said.

“The data simply says that seven hours is optimal at that age,” he added.

Surprisingly, the current federal guidelines are based on studies where teens were simply told to keep sleeping until they felt satisfied.

“If you used that same approach for a guideline on how much people should eat, you would put them in a well-stocked pantry and just watch how much they ate until they felt satisfied,” Mark Showalter said.

“Somehow that doesn’t seem right,” he said.

In the new study, the BYU researchers tried to connect sleep to a measure of performance or productivity. Analysing data from a representative sample of 1,724 primary and secondary school students across the country, they found a strong relationship between the amount of sleep youths got and how they fared on standardized tests.

“We don’t look at it just from a ‘your kid might be sleeping too much’ perspective,” Eide said.

“From the other end, if a kid is only getting 5.5 hours of sleep a night because he’s overscheduled, he would perform better if he got 90 minutes more each night,” he said.

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Kareena Kapoor to do two item numbers in 'Heroine' - Indian Express

2012-02-15T13:59:00.001+05:30

Kareena Kapoor to do two item numbers in 'Heroine' - Indian Express After doing a mujra, 'Dil Mera Muft Ka' in her beau Saif Ali Khan's home production 'Agent Vinod', Kareena Kapoor is all set to take the nation by storm by gyrating to not one but two item numbers in her forthcoming film Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Heroine'.

One of the item numbers is called 'Halkat Jawani' and according to sources Kareena Kapoor will set the screen on fire with her moves in this song.

'Heroine' revolves around the life of a once successful film actress played by Kareena, whose career is on the decline.

'Heroine', a UTV and Bhandarkar Entertainment joint production, also stars Randeep Hooda, Rakesh Bapat, Divya Dutta and Shahana Goswami in pivotal roles.

Stars wish fans on Valentine's Day - Indian Express

2012-02-15T13:54:00.001+05:30

Stars wish fans on Valentine's Day - Indian Express

As the world celebrates the day of love, Bollywood stars took to Twitter to wish their fans and followers a Happy Valentine's Day.

Shah Rukh Khan, who shot to fame starring in romantic movies, said, "To all of u... a very happy Valentines day. hope u all find love that makes u laugh.. sing and dance. Big hug to u all.. keep loving always (sic)."

Heartthrob Hrithik Roshan retweeted a post by his wife Sussanne: "Everyone needs the miracle of LOVE... cherish it, appreciate it and give enough space for it to bloom to its fullest... happy love day?"

"Happy Slavery Day to all devoted men! If we can't appreciate the Woman we love on Valentine's Day then we don't deserve them. So be a Man & PAMPER your lady just like ME," tweeted Akshay Kumar, posting a photo of him with wife Twinkle.

Preity Zinta, who split from Ness Wadia last year, wrote, "Happy Valentines Tweeple! Hope every one of u has had the privilege 2 love & be loved at least once in dis lifetime! Love U all :-) Ting! (sic)"

"Happy valentines day u all... Spread the love," tweeted Shahid Kapoor.

R Madhavan, who is busy promoting his upcoming film 'Jodi Breakers' with Bipasha Basu, posted, "Happy Valentines day folks. May all your Jodis stand the test of time Have a great day and enjoyyyy. Love Maddy."

Shekhar Kapur tweeted, "If love is as intoxicating as it should be, everyday is a Valentines day."

Abhishek Bachchan said, "Celebrate your love everyday! Not just once a year."

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Genelia better actor than me: Riteish Deshmukh - Indian Express

2012-02-15T13:52:00.001+05:30

Genelia better actor than me: Riteish Deshmukh - Indian Express Riteish Deshmukh is known for his quirky comic timings but when it comes to acting he feels that wife Genelia D'Souza is better at it than him.

The couple, who started their career together eight years ago with 'Tujhe Mere Kasam', a remake of Malyalam blockbuster 'Niram', will be next seen in their upcoming film 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya'.

“We started our career in 2003 and have grown together with the films. She has evolved as an actress with films. There is a scene where we have to act like drunkards and she did that brilliantly with such ease that made me feel she is a better actress than me,” Riteish said during the promotion of the film at IIPM here.

The film will be the couple's first onscreen appearance after marriage, but Riteish, 33, said they didn't plan to tie the knot after the completion of the film.

“Love is a slow evolutionary process. We started off as a friend and after some time we started dating each other. I used to like her from the beginning and the best part in her is she values every relationship.

“We never interfered into each other's decision. Whether we decided to marry each other on the sets of the film, we really don't remember,” he said.

In the romantic comedy, Riteish plays a lowly employee under Genelia's father played by actor Tinu Anand.

“The film is directed brilliantly by Mandeep (director). There is a suspense till the end about whether they are in love with each other or not,” he said.

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Today's Photo Gallery, Picture News Gallery:Indian Express

2012-02-15T13:49:00.000+05:30

Today's Photo Gallery, Picture News Gallery:Indian Express

Today's Pics

Priests perform rituals as they conduct evening prayers on the banks of the River Ganges in Varanasi. (AP)

Slideshow | Email to Friend | Today's Pic Archive

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China defence budget to double over 5 years: IHS - Indian Express

2012-02-15T11:09:00.001+05:30

China defence budget to double over 5 years: IHS - Indian ExpressChina's defence budget will double between 2011 and 2015 and outstrip the combined spending of all other key defence markets in the Asia-Pacific region, global research group IHS said today.

China's defence budget stood at USD 119.8 billion last year and will rise to USD 238.2 billion in 2015, marking a combined annual growth rate of 18.75 per cent during the period, the US-based IHS said in a forecast.

The 2015 figure exceeds the combined total of the next 12 biggest defence budgets in the region, forecast to hit USD 232.5 billion, and will be almost four times second-placer Japan's defence spending that year, it added.

"Beijing has been able to devote an increasingly large portion of its overall budget towards defence and has been steadily building up its military capabilities for more than two decades," said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist for IHS Global Insight.

"This will continue unless there is an economic catastrophe." The growth in China's defence budget which averaged 12 percent annually from 2000-2009 will benefit from the projected surge in the gross domestic product of Asia's largest economy in the next three years.

China will use the additional cash to modernise its equipment while reducing its manpower, resulting in a higher amount of funding per member of its armed forces, IHS said in its report.

Aside from China and Japan, the report also tracks the military spending of India, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and New Zealand.

The US government's "renewed Asia-Pacific focus" is helping fuel China's expansion of its defence budget, according IHS Global Insight's Asia-Pacific head Sarah McDowall.

New China landing vessels point to Pacific rivalry - Indian Express

2012-02-15T11:03:00.001+05:30

New China landing vessels point to Pacific rivalry - Indian Express As looming budget cuts force the Pentagon to plan for a smaller US navy, China is accelerating the launch of new, increasingly capable warships as part of a sustained drive to become a major maritime power.

Shanghai's Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company late last month launched the fourth of China's new 071 amphibious landing ships according to reports carried by Chinese military web sites and the state-controlled media.

While most attention has been drawn to the ongoing sea trials of China's first aircraft carrier, military analysts say the expanding fleet of 20,000 tonne landing ships, the biggest domestically designed and built vessels in the Chinese navy, delivers a far more immediate boost to Beijing's global influence.

Having a significant fleet of large amphibious assault vessels clearly suggests a desire for power projection, says Christian Le Miere, a maritime security researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

If you want the surgical insertion of forces, for a range of reasons, then you need amphibious response ships.

MILITARY RIVALRY

China's naval buildup comes amid mounting maritime tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, which is likely to be one of the main geopolitical stress points in the coming decade.

Military planners previously had focused mainly on a potential conflict in the Taiwan strait. More recently, however, Japan and China have locked horns over islands each claims in the East China Sea; Vietnam, the Philippines and other nations are disputing territorial claims with China over parts of the South China Sea thought to be rich in oil and gas.

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Iran to unveil nuclear 'achievements' today - Indian Express

2012-02-15T10:59:00.001+05:30

Iran to unveil nuclear 'achievements' today - Indian Express Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to unveil several unspecified nuclear "achievements" today, his government's website said.

"Several completed nuclear projects will be unveiled on Wednesday in the presence of the president," the official website said.

"Experts believe these achievements will show the world the extraordinary capability and knowledge of Iranians."

It added that the progress will underline Iran's scientific adherence to "nuclear power for all and nuclear weapons for none," the website said.

The announcement confirmed a vow made by Ahmadinejad on Saturday to inaugurate "important nuclear projects" within "days," in a speech marking the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iran's progress in its nuclear programme has deeply unsettled the West and Israel, which see it masking a drive for atomic weapons. A report by the UN nuclear watchdog in November also expressed strong suspicions in that sense.

Tehran, though, has repeatedly said its nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful in nature.

The international showdown over Iran's nuclear programme has deepened in recent months, with the United States and the European Union slapping unprecedentedly tough economic sanctions on the Islamic republic to pressure it to halt its activities.

Israel has threatened to possibly unleash air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, while the US has intimated it, too, could take military action if it thought it necessary.

Iran has reacted defiantly, beginning uranium enrichment in a fortified bunker under a mountain in Fordo, near the holy city of Qom, and promising soon to insert its first domestically made nuclear fuel plates into its Tehran research reactor.

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