Support for Hazare comes in form of tweets, 'likes'

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By punemsexesena-NEW DELHI: In its attempts to galvanise support among youth, Anna Hazare .s anti-corruption movement is tapping one tool hitherto unavailable to famous non-violent protesters of the past - social media.

The movement has generated a lot of traffic and conversation on social networking platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. These websites are being used to spread information, galvanise support and help co-ordinate protests in various cities.

Lending the support of India Inc , Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra group, Anand Mahindra, tweeted: "This is a movement whose heart and voice cannot be ignored. If only industry captains can voice their support for Anna Hazare." The support will come as a big boost for the activists.

The movement, India Against Corruption, uses both Twitter and Facebook effectively, providing news and links related to the protests. The official Twitter account Twitter.com/janlokpal and the Facebook page Facebook.com/IndiACor aggregates pictures of protests happening across the country. The Facebook page is attracting comments in hundreds to each update and is also serving as an effective platform to co-ordinate protests in various cities.

An update on the Facebook page said 500 supporters from Gurgaon will join Hazare on Thursday attracted hundreds of comments from people who wanted to know if there were protests happening in their cities. Many youngsters, who joined protests or fasted in solidarity with Hazare, said in television interviews that they first learned about the issue from social media.

While the role of social media in galvanising people to political action has recently been well demonstrated in Egypt and elsewhere, it would also be easy to overestimate the potential of support expressed online. It takes little effort, after all, to click and 'like' a Facebook page or to make a comment or a tweet. But the mood online is definitely in support of Hazare, and against politicians.

Aamir Khan says Anna Hazare deserves greater support than cricket team

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By punemsexesena-NEW DELHI: Actor Aamir Khan says the country should extend greater support to Anna Hazare's struggle for a strong anti-corruption law than it did to the Indian cricket team's quest for the World Cup. In a letter to the social activist, who is on fast unto death demanding that the government co-opt the civil society in drafting the Lokpal Bill, the actor said the struggle against corruption was "infinitely more important, and affects each and every one of us".

In the letter sent on April 6, the actor called Hazare an inspiration for the youth of India and said that he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to pay heed to Hazare's appeal.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Khan said: "I would like to humbly submit to you that, based on all the material that I have read, what Mr Hazare is saying makes a lot of sense to me."

"I am one of over a billion citizens of this country who is affected by, and most concerned about, corruption in our country. The last few months have witnessed some shocking exposés. In fact our society has been plagued by this sickness over the last few decades. I am one of the many who feel that strong steps need to be taken as corrective measures," the actor wrote to the Prime Minister.

He further wrote: "It is therefore with great hope and all humility that I request you to pay heed to the voice of Mr Anna Hazare. I would like to submit to you that the nation is slowly but surely collecting behind Mr Hazare in appreciation for what he is fighting for. I am merely one of many who support Mr Hazare and have come to appreciate that this upright 72-year-old man is willing to sacrifice his life in the fight against corruption."

Text of Aamir Khan's letter to Anna Hazare


Mumbai,
6th April, 2011.

Dear Mr. Hazare,

Over the last few days I have been following, through the media coverage, news about your struggle against corruption and the fast that you have undertaken.

I have been through your appeal.

I have been through the draft provided by the media of the government proposed Lokpal bill, which is under consideration of the government, which you are opposing.

Through the internet, I have also been through the draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill as drafted by the members of the Civil Society, which you are supporting.

I would like you to know that I am amongst thousands who are fully supportive of your efforts. The crusade that you have begun is an extremely important one, and I would like to extend my support to you.

For your information, I have written to our Hon'ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to pay heed to your appeal. I am attaching my letter to him for you to read.

You are an inspiration for the youth of this country and my prayers are with you.

Like the country has supported the Indian Cricket team in their struggle to win the World Cup, I hope and pray that your struggle, which is infinitely more important, and affects each and every one of us, will get an even greater support.

Jai Hind.

Yours sincerely,
Aamir Khan
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Sangakkara quits ODI, T20 captaincy

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By Punem Sexesena-Kumar Sangakkara informed Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday morning that he was resigning as captain, his manager said.

He will resign with immediate effect as the ODI and T20 captain, but he has spoken to the selectors and offered to continue as the Test captain on an interim basis for the forthcoming series with England and Australia if this is considered helpful for the new captain.

In a statement released to the media through his manager, he said: “I would like to announce that after careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

“This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament.

“It has been a true honour and a great privilege to serve my country as captain during the past two years and, although bitterly disappointed that we could not win the final, I am very proud of the performances of the team.

“I am also very grateful for the wonderful support received from Sri Lankan fans all around the world. Our supporters were a source of great inspiration before, during and after the tournament and I know all the players are extremely thankful for this.

“I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership.

“In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England and possibly Australia if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.

“I have no plans of retirement from international cricket at this stage and subject to form and fitness I would like to be considered for selection in all three formats of the game for the foreseeable future.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates and the coaching staff for their hard-work and support. I would also like to thank my wife Yehali, my young twins and family for being willing to sacrifice so much to allow me to lead the team.

2G scam: PAC questions Anil Ambani, telecom CEOs

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By Punem Sexesena- The PAC had on Monday quizzed Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata and corporate lobbyist Niira Radia in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani on Tuesday appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which quizzed him for over two hours in connection with alleged irregularities in 2G spectrum allocation.

Mr. Ambani, also a former Rajya Sabha member, reached Parliament premises around noon when the PAC was questioning Etisalat DB Telecom CEO Atul Jhamb.

The members asked Mr. Ambani to join them just after 1:00 p.m. and discussions with him continued for nearly two hours.

He was asked questions on issues related to the 2G spectrum allocation as also 3G auction that was held last year.

“He was very free and frank,” said a PAC member.

Another member said Mr. Ambani referred to the CBI charge sheet in the 2G allocation case and expressed his inability to speak in detail as the matter was sub-judice.

He is understood to have justified the ‘first come, first served’ policy in the allocation of 2G spectrum and favoured the auction route for 3G spectrum allocation.

Jhamb, who appeared before the PAC along with his senior colleagues from Etisalat DB, was quizzed by members for over two hours. The company officials told the Committee that Shahid Balwa, who is in CBI custody in connection with the 2G scam, was a partner.

S-Tel CEO Shamik Das was also questioned by the PAC while Unitech Wireless Managing Director Sigve Brekke is to appear before it.

The PAC had yesterday quizzed Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata and corporate lobbyist Niira Radia in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

The panel had quizzed Ms. Radia, Chairperson of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications (VCC), for two hours and Tata for three hours on issues related to the scam.

A VCC statement later said that Ms. Radia had extended her cooperation and offered clarification on all issues to the PAC.

ICC confirms giving India original World Cup trophy

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By Punem Sexesena-Mumbai, April 4 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday rubbished some erroneous and mischievous media reports that the ICC had presented India with a duplicate World Cup trophy at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
In a statement, the ICC confirmed that the trophy was original and the one that was always intended to be presented to the winner of the event.
It said: "There is no question that this was a replica. The trophy presented to India indeed carries the specific event logo of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and has always been the cup that the 14 teams were playing for."
"The trophy seized by Mumbai customs is the promotional, perpetual trophy which remains in the keeping of ICC at its headquarters in Dubai. It carries the generic ICC corporate logo rather than the logo specific to the 2011 event. That trophy will be reclaimed today and will travel back to Dubai with ICC staff as was always intended," a media release said.
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Winning off 2011 Team India

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By Punem sexesena-MUMBAI: When Mahendra Singh Dhoni lofted Nuwan Kulasekara for the winning six against Sri Lanka, he stood gazing at the ball as it flew through the Mumbai night sky, soaking up the sweet moment and the reward for four years of hard work and the introduction of a work ethic and team bonding not seen in previous Indian teams.

Four years ago, the team was in ruins after crashing out in the first round of the World Cup in the Caribbean, with fans baying for the cricketers' blood.

But the transition in the next four-year cycle has been outstanding, the picture completed with the six-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium, when Dhoni anchored the run chase with his knock of 91.

The three characters who stand out for India in the transformation of the team's approach are Dhoni, low-profile coach Gary Kirsten and the indefatigable Sachin Tendulkar.

If Dhoni has marshaled his resources well, Kirsten has been the facilitator of systems and Tendulkar the biggest inspiration for younger players.

These three have transformed the team into a powerful unit that has done well in different conditions around the world and also come back from the brink to achieve impressive victories.

Tendulkar, who has played with many top players in his 21 years of international cricket, said Saturday he was enjoying playing like never before.

"This team shows a lot of self belief and is extremely consistent," Tendulkar said after the victory. "It is a great honor to be part of this team."

The Indian team, already enjoying top ranking in Test cricket, is now also atop the one-day table.

In the past few years, India has come back undefeated from Test tours of Australia and South Africa, won a Test series in New Zealand as well as one-day series in Australia and Sri Lanka, all considered difficult feats for any team.

But the one event that triggered the cycle was the Twenty20 World Championship victory in South Africa four years ago, which offset the despair of the 2007 World Cup and refreshed the side.

Dhoni gave the first glimpse of his charismatic qualities as a leader of a young team and slowly took over as captain of one-dayers and test matches too.

Dhoni conceded the other day that he does not believe in too much planning and likes to give players freedom as well as responsibilities.

"I don't even attend the bowlers' meeting. I'm happy to let them come up with strategies and keep that out of my mind," he said about the Zaheer Khan-led attack.

But Dhoni, like most others, accepts that South African Kirsten's contribution has been immense, specially in removing the insecurities that have dogged players in the past.

"Everyone knows what he has done for the team. He knows our players very well and is probably the best thing to happen to Indian cricket," Dhoni said of him.

Supporting Kirsten has been South African Paddy Upton, credited with the players' better mental conditioning.

The team management has also thought out of the box and been inspired by the likes of high altitude climber and Arctic explorer Mike Horn.

"Mike is an adventurer and the stories that he tells of his experiences are simply outstanding. He has given us insight into what the human mind can do for us," Dhoni said of him.

India opener Virender Sehwag, like many of his teammates, said the team had been wanting to win the World Cup for Tendulkar and revealed that the team had been aiming for the win for over a year.

"For more than one year, we have been aiming to do this. It has been a team effort with even a 38-yer-old Tendulkar diving on the boundary line today," Sehwag said after the victory.
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