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India post an imposing 387 for five for their best One-day total against a Test-playing nation.

Earlier, Sehwag put on 127 with the in-form Gautam Gambhir (51) to give India a solid start, hitting 10 fours and three sixes, and reached his 30th fifty with consecutive sixes off Paul Collingwood’s first two deliveries.

Pietersen and Patel (28) put on 71 for the sixth wicket before falling in the space of three runs, to trigger another collapse.

Patel was stumped off off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Pietersen was run out.

West Indies in 1994 and Pakistan three years ago.

But this time, a more determined India did not allow Australians to dominate the series except for the First Test at Bengaluru. In the second, third and the fourth tests, India emphatically and comprehensively outplayed Ricky Ponting and his men in all departments of the game to win the series 2-0 and wrest the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Leg-spinner Amit Mishra and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh shared seven wickets to bowl out Australia for 209 in their second innings with almost a session to spare on the last day. Incidentally, all the four matches went into the fifth day.

“There’s no doubt they’ve used the conditions (better), they’ve used the ball, they’ve had a chance to bowl on older wickets.

“Losing three tosses in a row if you don’t actually get yourself back in front after the first innings it’s very hard to win here.

“There’s no doubt they’ve used the conditions (better), they’ve used the ball, they’ve had a chance to bowl on older wickets.
Harbhajan took four wickets and Mishra three, as well as running out Ricky Ponting, as the tourists dramatically lost their last seven wickets for 59 runs.

Matthew Hayden had given Australia hope by scoring 77 at a healthy rate but he fell to Harbhajan lbw after Mishra had Michael Hussey (19) caught by Rahul Dravid at slip to trigger the collapse.

The fourth Test will also be remembered as being the last one for former skipper Sourav Ganguly and Dhoni’s first as a full-fledged captain. Though, the first victory came for India in the series with Dhoni as stand-in skipper.   

Dhoni and Kumble receive trophy from Alan Border and Sunil Gavaskar in Nagpur after India beat Australia by 172 runs in the fourth Test

The Chairman of TMI Pacific and the Tynan Motor Group of companies, Michael Tynan says, “Over the past 18 months TMI Pacific has successfully laid the foundation and carved a niche in the Australian landscape for the Mahindra range of utility vehicles. 

Working alongside Mahindra, we have built brand presence and believe that the stake that Mahindra is putting in Australian soil and the commitment they are showing to becoming even more strongly involved in our market is a testament to their belief in it.  This affirmative action will provide even further confidence to the dealer network and to prospective customers.  We welcome this positive move forward.”

Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We are delighted to extend our relationship with TMI Pacific, which has contributed in large measure to the success of the Mahindra brand in Australia. As we merge to form a new entity, our collective dedication will ensure that the Mahindra brand will become further ingrained in the Australian market.  We have a strong vision for international growth and this move is an integral part of that plan.”

Pravin Shah, Executive Vice President, Automotive Sector, International Operations, M&M Ltd., said, “TMI Pacific has worked tirelessly since the launch of the Mahindra Pik-Up last year and has helped make Mahindra a household name in Australia, demonstrating that it is indeed the right partner for Mahindra in Australia. The new JV company, Mahindra Automotive Australia, will undertake branding and promotion activities for the brand, further consolidating our presence on the continent.”

Under the new structure, which will be in effect as of this week, Michael Tynan will become a Director and bring his rich experience of the Australian Auto Industry to the new venture.  Chief Operations Officer, Claire Tynan, has been promoted to CEO, while the current team of head office staff and network of dealers around the country will remain unchanged.  As before, their mandate will be to continue the growth and distribution of the Mahindra brand of vehicles throughout Australia. 

Further plans for the new company along with future models for the market will be announced in an upcoming event for stakeholders, which will be hosted in Australia early next year.

Despite many automotive manufacturers feeling the economic crunch globally with job losses, factory closures, considerable cut back in production and work-weeks for some, Mahindra continues to grow strongly.  During the second quarter ending September 30, Gross Revenues of the Company grew by 14.1% and Net Profit after tax excluding exchange loss and other exceptional and special items grew by 9.3%.

About The Mahindra Group

The US $6.7 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world.

The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including the financial services, trade, retail and logistics, automotive components, after-market, information technology and infrastructure development. Mahindra has recently made an entry in the two-wheeler segment which will see the company emerge as a full-range player with a presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry.

Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector is the proud recipient of the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. The US based Reputation Institute recently ranked Mahindra among the top 10 Indian companies in its Global 200: The World’s Best Corporate Reputations list.

Mahindra is also one of only four Indian companies to receive an A+ rating from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for its first Sustainability Report.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni changed his tactics after lunch, giving Australia the opportunity to be aggressive, but they failed to overtake India’s 441.

It was clear from the first session which team had a lead to defend. India went in with eight fielders on the off side, repeatedly bowled outside the off stump, and delayed the introduction of the spinners. Australia, who had to force the pace, decided not to start the day with innovative strokeplay and as a result only 42 runs came before lunch. On a good batting strip in front of another poor crowd, Simon Katich and Michael Hussey made steady rather than spectacular process. India’s method should have taken care of Katich on 94, but Rahul Dravid put down a simple catch at first slip off Ishant, grasping it easily and then spilling it.

However, Katich got his century before Zaheer trapped him lbw to a late-swinging yorker. Katich had faced 50 deliveries since reaching a hundred, 31 on his final score of 102.

Slowly, almost unnoticeably, Hussey moved on to 90. He left the ball well and never looked like getting out. There was the odd flourish, most noticeably a brilliant reverse-sweep for four off Harbhajan Singh, collected from well outside leg stump, to go with an inside-out drive off Ishant. Shortly after Michael Clarke was undone by a peach from Ishant for a 44-ball 8, Hussey was run out. It needed something out of the blue to dislodge a man who seemed set to grind India into the dust. Hussey, on 90, punched off the back foot and M Vijay at silly point intercepted the ball and flicked it back to Dhoni, who broke the stumps with Hussey on the move for a single.

Eleven deliveries after Hussey departed, Harbhajan cleaned up Shane Watson with one that spun, clipped the forearm and rolled on to off stump. Brad Haddin and Cameron White added 52, but they were never entirely comfortable during their partnership. Haddin was troubled by Amit Mishra and survived a stumping appeal and a couple of shouts to balls that pitched just outside leg stump. Dhoni continued with the old ball and Mishra had his man when Haddin’s nervous padding resulted in ball brushing bat on its way to slip.

Dhoni took the new ball and Jason Krezja quickly became Ishant’s 13th victim of the series, trapped in front by a scuttling inswinger. Ishant should have had Mitchell Johnson in the same over, but VVS Laxman dropped a regulation chance at second slip. As the shadows lengthened at 4.30, White drove Ishant sumptuously through the covers for the first boundary in 20 overs and a powerful sweep raised his best score and Australia’s 350. The very next ball, trying to push a sluggish run-rate, White (46) chipped Harbhajan to long-on. If White had played well enough to deserve his fifty, Harbhajan had earned his third wicket with his perseverance on an unhelpful surface. In the next over Johnson’s wild slog settled in long-on’s hands and India had secured an 86-run lead.

India’s openers saw out the one remaining over and will harbour hopes of batting Australia out of the Test

At 255 for 3, with under a session and a half left today and Hussey and Clarke batting watchfully, Australia seemed in control. Then Clarke, who came to the crease just before lunch, was undone by a peach from Ishant Sharma, and was out for a 44-ball 8. The next wicket was completely out of the blue, and it needed something like that to dislodge a man who seemed set to grind India into the dust. Hussey, on 90, punched off the back foot and M Vijay at silly point intercepted and then flicked it back to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who broke the stumps with Hussey on the move for a single.

According to media reports, the 40-year-old economist has been associated with the overseas activities of the Sangh Parivar. She was a national coordinator of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America campaign to raise funds for Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001.

Her father Ramesh Shah, a vice-president of the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), had campaigned for LK Advani in Gandhinagar during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He had also briefly traveled with Advani during his Bharat Udaya Yatra, countrywide election tour.

Sonal’s brother Amit and sister Rupal are now based in Ahmedabad, running a voluntary organisation, indicorps. Its website says its aim is to “engage the most talented young Indians from around the world on the frontlines of India’s most pressing challenges”.

The Shah family hails from Sabarkantha in Gujarat but Sonal was born in Mumbai. Ramesh Shah moved to the US in 1970. Two years later, Sonal, Rupal and their mother joined him in New York. The family later moved to Houston. Sonal has worked as vice-president with Goldman Sachs and also in the US Department of Treasury. Currently, she is with the global development team of Google.org.

The BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan told the ICC that the decision was in “violation of the principles of natural justice” and that it “does not accept the decision and objects to it.” Gambhir was handed the ban by match referee Chris Broad for elbowing Shane Watson while taking a run in the third Test in New Delhi.

Going by what an ICC official said and the rules, there is no provision of contesting an Appeals Commissioner’s verdict. “The decision of the Appeals Commissioner shall be final and binding,” says the section of the ICC’s official website that deals with the Code of Conduct. So how exactly the BCCI is going to challenge this is not clear.

“I have watched the DVD recording of the incident. There can be no doubt that while running back Gautam Gambhir deliberately kept his left arm (carrying the bat) extended so that his elbow would make some contact with the midriff of Shane Watson. Though the resultant collision was not by any means violent, it was manifestly deliberate, and as such inappropriate,” Sachs said in his report.

Gambhir had pleaded guilty of committing a Level 2 offence which calls for a ban of one Test or two ODIs, or a deduction of 50 to 100 per cent of his match fee. Sachs added in his report that a ban was handed to the player because he had committed a similar offence and fined last year, in an ODI against Pakistan.

“In finding him guilty, Chris Broad stated that a player cannot take the law into his own hands under any circumstances or provocation. …A fine didn’t work last time, hopefully a ban will make him realise he cannot strike another player, EVER,” said Sachs in his report.

Interestingly, ICC officials  pointed out that the Code of Conduct was amended last year where it was decided that the Appeals Commissioner’s verdict shall be “final and binding”. They said that top officials of all Test playing nations were present at that meeting and agreed to the decisions taken. “There is no provision for any further appeal, especially since the player pleaded guilty to the charge.”

Meanwhile, the BCCI has sent an SoS to Tamil Nadu opener M. Vijay plucking him out of a Ranji Trophy game in Nashik apparently to induct him into the national team as a replacement for Gambhir.

Chopra was not keeping well for some time and the end came at 0830 hours at his residence in suburban Juhu.

Chopra, one of India’s most respected film personalities is survived by his filmmaker son Ravi Chopra and two daughters.

The eminent producer-director was the elder brother of filmmaker Yash Chopra.

The funeral will take place at the Juhu crematorium at 4.30 pm, family sources said.

The filmmaker was known for converting offbeat stories highlighting socially relevant issues into immortal classics like ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ (1959), ‘Waqt’(1965) and ‘Naya Daur’ (1957), ‘Kanoon’ (1958), ‘Humraz’ (1967), ‘Insaf Ka Tarazu’ (1980) and ‘Nikah’ (1982) to name a few.

Born on 22nd April 1914, in undivided Punjab, Chopra’s interest in films started as a movie journalist.

After partition, he moved to Delhi and then to Mumbai. He began his celluloid career writing and editing film reviews for the Cine Herald Journal.

In 1949, he produced his first film ‘Karwat‘, which unfortunately turned out to be a flop.

In 1951, he tried his luck again as producer and director of film ‘Afsana’ which became a mega hit at the box office. The movie, a tale of mistaken identity with Ashok Kumar in double role, went for a silver jubilee run.

In 1955, B R formed his own production house ‘B R Films’. His first movie for this production house was highly successful ‘Naya Daur’.

Encouraged by this success, B R started off on a roll with the release of  ‘Ek Hi Raasta ‘(1956), a drama about widow remarriage and then churned out a string of successful films, the most notable being ‘Naya Daur’(1957), ‘Sadhana’ (1958), ‘Kanoon’ (1960), ‘Gumrah’ (1963) and ‘Humraaz’ (1967).

He also gave his younger brother Yash Chopra, his first directorial opportunity with the box-office hit ‘Dhool Ka Phool (1959) and in the subsequent years Yash made four more films, including ‘Waqt’ (1965) and ‘Ittefaq’ (1969).

B R was instrumental in developing the career of singer Mahendra Kapoor and utilised him in most of his movies.

His foray into television led to ‘Mahabharat’, one of the most successful TV serials in Indian television history.

B R always endeavoured to make socially relevant films and at the same time tried to cater to popular sentiment.

For instance, ‘Naya Daur’ (1957) depicted the confrontation between rural tradition and modern technology. B R perceived mechanism as evil and allowed his protagonist, a horse carriage rider, to defeat an automobile in a race.

He also made films that were regarded as ahead of their time. ‘Kanoon’ (1960), a courtroom drama, was perhaps the first experiment in Bollywood to make a film without any song.

‘Gumrah’ (1963) told the tale of a woman resuming her affair after marriage and ‘Ittefaq’ (1969) showed the heroine as a killer of her husband.

B R continued to make films in 1970s and 1980s, and met success with ‘Insaf Ka Tarazu’ (1980) focusing on the issue of rape, and Nikaah (1982), a Muslim love triangle.

His son Ravi did try to keep the banner going but none of the films did well except for ‘Aaj Ki Awaz’ (1984), another courtroom tale, and a family drama ‘Baghban’ (2003).

B R Films turned to television in 1985 and made several successful television programmes, the most successful of the being the serial ‘Mahabharata’ (1988).

It entered the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ by registering 96 per cent world viewership. In 1999, B R was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

BR’s third generation has also taken its bow with one of Ravi’s son turning director and another an actor.
— Agencies

Barack Obama with daughter after winning the US Presidential elections

Democrat Barack Obama captured the White House on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black to be elected US president.

Obama will be sworn in as the 44th US president on January 20, 2009, television networks said. He will face a crush of immediate challenges, from tackling an economic crisis to ending the war in Iraq and striking a compromise on overhauling the health care system.

McCain saw his hopes for victory evaporate with losses in a string of key battleground states led by Ohio, the state that narrowly clinched President George W. Bush’s re-election in 2004, and Virginia, a state that had not backed a Democrat since 1964.

Obama led a Democratic electoral landslide that also expanded the party’s majorities in both chambers of Congress and firmly repudiated eight years of Republican President George W Bush’s leadership.

The win by Obama, son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, marked a milestone in U.S. history. It came 45 years after the height of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King.

In a campaign dominated at the end by a flood of bad news on the economy, Obama’s leadership and proposals on how to handle the crisis tipped the race in his favor. Exit polls showed six of every 10 voters listed the economy as the top issue.

Tens of thousands of Obama supporters gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park for an election night rally that had the air of a celebratory concert, cheering results that showed his victories in key states.

McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner, had hoped to become the oldest president to begin a first term in the White House and see his running mate Sarah Palin become the first female US vice president.  — agencies

The SMS said, “We, ISF-IM, take the responsibility of yesterday blast. We warn all of Assam and India for situation like this in future. We thank all our holy members and partners. AAamin.”

The police tracked the Reliance mobile number 9864693690 to Nazim Ahmed of Moirabari in Nagaon district.

Ahmed had purchased the SIM card from Babul Ali, a retailer who runs a PCO named Hi-Fi at Moirabari. The police said Babul was detained and all documents related to the PCO have been seized, but were not sure how IM came to be tagged with ISF.

According to officials, the ISF was formed in the early 2002 in the ‘char’ (sandbar) areas heavily populated by migrants, including many suspected of being from Bangladesh, in Dhubri and Goalpara districts.

The group is believed to be an offshoot of older Islamist outfits such as the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Asom.

It was formed mostly by ex-activists of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The group is backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence to fan jihad along the border areas, officials said.

The outfit’s claim, though “under investigation”, followed the arrest of one Ajibur Rahman at Tezpur on Thursday. Rahman is an activist of the Muslim United Students Association.

This outfit was formed prior to the Muslim-Bodo riots in Udalguri and Darrang districts last month. “He (Rahman) was caught with handmade explosives and we are trying to get more out of him,” said Sonitpur Superintendent of Police Surendra Kumar.

Meanwhile, the security forces launched a manhunt on Friday picking up four persons from Nagaon district as the death toll in Thursday’s serial blasts rose to 77.

“We have detained Zulfikar Ali and Arif Mohammed Nizamin alias Anthony from Juria for questioning as well as Emrul Haque from Lanka town,” said Nagaon police chief Nitul Gogoi. According to deputy commissioner J Balaji, a motorbike used by Anthony had the same registration number as the Maruti 800 car used in one of the three blasts in Guwahati.

“Anthony is an agent of HDFC Bank, and he helped Emrul buy a motorbike although Lanka is not in his jurisdiction. The bike was bought in the name of Zulfikar of Juria,” Balaji added, saying the three were being interrogated for possible link in Thursday’s serial blasts.

Juria, incidentally, is the native place of Nanhe Mian, one of the main accused in the Godhra train arson case.

The death toll rose to 77 with 10 persons succumbing to injuries at Gauhati Medical College Hospital since Thursday night and another at Barpeta Road.

Of these, 43 died in the three major blasts in Guwahati, 21 at Kokrajhar and 13 at Barpeta Road. “The condition of many of the injured is still critical,” said GMCH superintendent P Bhattacharyya.

Friday also saw a string of protests from various citizen’s groups and students’ bodies protesting the government’s failure in pre-empting terror.

The public show of anger coincided with the visits of Central leaders such as Union home minister Shivraj Patil, LK Advani, Brinda Karat and Basudeb Acharjee. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the VHP and BHP called for a statewide, 12-hour bandh on Saturday while the All Assam Students Union has given a 24-hour bandh call on Monday.