Sri Lanka vs Kenya Cricket World Cup 2011: Preview

On March 1 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, host Sri Lanka will take on Kenya in a group 'A' match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Both Sri Lanka and Kenya will play their third match in the ongoing mega event of cricket.
ICC World Cup 2007 finalist, Sri Lanka, started the tenth edition of Cricket World Cup in style. In the first match against minnow Canada, the host team won by 210 runs. But in the next match against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, Sri Lanka lost by 11 runs.
Kenya, the semi-finalist of 2003 Cricket World Cup, which was jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, lost their both of the opening matches. Their team lost their first match against New Zealand by 10 wickets and in the next match against Pakistan, they lost by a huge margin of by 205 runs. Now, from this stage it is very difficult for this African country to move ahead in the next round.
Sri Lanka and Kenya have played five matches with other, out of which the Lankan team has won four times and the Kenyan team one time. In the Cricket World Cup, record is in favour of Sri Lanka by 2-1.
In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 match against Kenya, Sri Lankan key bowler Lasith Malinga may again watch the game from the dressing room. Malinga, who is suffering from back strain, is still not fit.

The Sri Lankan captain may pick an one all-rounder in place of a bowler in the playing XI. In the last game, the pitch of at the Premadasa Stadium did not provide much support for bowlers.
Given below are the squads of Sri Lanka and Kenya in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
Kenya: Jimmy Kamande (capt), Seren Waters, AlexObanda, David Obuya (wk), Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Tanmay Mishra, Rakep Patel, Morris Ouma (wk), Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Peter Ongondo, Shem Ngoche, James Ngoche.

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Union Budget 2011: ASSOCHAM expects addressing of macro issues

IN THE wake of escalating inflation, scandals, tight liquidity and rising current account deficit, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is presenting the sixth union budget 2011.

With challenges galore, Mukherjee's need of the hour is to satisfy the common man as well as to put the economy back higher growth track.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) hopes that its recommendations for the union budget 2011 will be considered by the Centre.

Making a note of the recommendations made by ASSOCHAM, it said that the progress on the Direct Tax Code and Goods and Service Tax (GST) were constantly being delayed with no further news on the implementation of either of the two.

The body also said that it believes rational GST is quite essential to simplify indirect tax structure and make India a common market. Apart from this, the body also expects the Centre to play a pivotal role in the continuation of tax reforms.

ASSOCHAM also emphasised that amendments in the provisions of Income Tax Act are necessary, specially in the case of international transactions and taxation of non residents should be comparable to international practices to facilitate introduction of direct tax code.

Some of the proposals made by the Finance Minister in Union Budget 2011 include:

> Talking about food inflation, Pranab Mukherjee said that although it has been reduced to 9.3 per cent in January from 20.2, it still does raise eye brows. He also mentioned about the spurt in prices in cereals, onions and milk.

> Reconciliation of ecological concerns with development aspirations.

> In current year, overall economic growth is expected at 8.6 per cent, agriculture growth at 5.4 per cent, industrial growth at 8.1 per cent, and services growth at 9.3 per cent.

> Public Debt Management Agency Bill to be introduced in the next financial year.

> The Parliament is likely to pass the Direct Tax Code Bill in the next financial year whereas, Goods and Services Tax Code Bill will be introduced in the Parliament this year.

> Micro finance equity with SIDBI will be formed at Rs. 100 crore.

> A proposal will be made to increase rural housing fund to Rs. 3,000 crore.

> From the priority sector lending, a proposal will be made to increase housing loan limit from the present Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakhs.

> The Government also intends to create a Women's Self Help Group Development Fund with a corpus of Rs500 crore.

> For infrastructural development, tax free bonds of worth Rs. 30,000 crore will be issued which will cover a wide spectrum under the Warehousing Corporation of India, National Highways Authority of India, IRFC, and Housing and Urban Development Corporation.

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Mukherjee's budget woes: Inflation, deficit, taxes, and reforms

WHEN FINANCE Minister Pranab Mukherjee delivers his sixth budget he will have to address the issues related to high inflation, tight liquidity, and rising current account deficit. Subsidies are becoming difficult to manage and there is a feeling among businesses that UPA-2 is not doing much on the policy reform front.
All therse factors are holding back our economy. So Mukherjee has the difficult task of putting the economy back on track as well as keep people from all socio-political classes happy. This will be an onerous task.
Inflation has been difficul to curb, and prices have remained high through the last year. Rising inflation has reduced purchasing power and also offset the hike in the tax exemption limit announced in the last Budget.
On the other hand there's a chance that another tax exemption will be hiked. If this step is taken it will be in line with the Direct Taxes Code (DTC). The DTC, which aims to simplify income tax structure, has been cleared by the Cabinet in August, 2010. According to the DTC, income up to Rs. 2 lakh will be tax-free, Rs. 2-5 lakh would be taxed at 10 per cent, Rs. 5-10 lakh would be taxed at 20 per cent and income over Rs. 10 lakh would attract 30 per cent tax.
To compensate for the shortfall in revenue through direct tax, Mukherjee might increase the service tax by 2 per cent. This will generate between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 15,000 crore more.
An increase in excise duty on the same lines might be done.
To bring down the fiscal deficit to the targetted level (5.5 per cent), the government must have a plan to address the subsidy problem. Subsidies are likely to be Rs. 1 lakh crore this fiscal. Plus, rising prices of crude has increased the subsidy bill for the government.
The finance minister will have to do a neat balancing act between revenue receipts and expenditure, given that there won't be any 3G windfall like in the last fiscal year.

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Union Budget 2011: Time for deliverance

INDIA'S INDUSTRIAL sector will also have hopes pinned on the Finance Minister to push pending reforms in the financial and infrastructural sector.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are looking forward to key announcements to address their stimulus concerns in their respective sectors. Small and Medium Enterprises being the backbone of Indian economy, their contribution accounts for 40 per cent of the total exports and 45 per cent of the manufacturing output of the country.

This year, the fiscal deficit should be lower than its estimate 4.7 per cent vs the budgeted 5.5 per cent. Due to large welfare schemes meeting, FY12 deficit targets will be extremely challenging. Rollback of fiscal stimulus is expected to continue in Union Budget 2011-12, but FY12 deficit of 4. 7 per cent is unlikely to be met. From FY12 onwards, fiscal consolidation will be much more challenging.

Offsetting the higher receipts, the government budget expenditures are expected to reach 18 per cent year on year (YoY) from that of 9 per cent. Growth of expenditure this year has been better, and likely to rise 26 per cent as against only 10 per cent in FY10, adding to 44 per cent of the incremental expenditure.

Infrastructure is also a major setback in the growth of IT industry in India. We would expect development of world class infrastructure including roads, public transportation, power, domestic and international air connectivity , and robust telecommunications in upcoming General Budget.

Lets see, whether the Finance Minister will deliver on all these expectations.

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Mamata delivers populist Railway Budget 2011

AS EXPECTED Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has come out with a populist budget with something to offer to everyone. Coming against the backdrop of the crucial West Bengal elections, where Mamata is a key player, the Rail Budget has tried to mollify the common man as well as the industry keeping in mind the political ramifications of the the entire exercise.

Delivering the Rail Budget in the Parliament on Friday, Mamata Banerjee announced a number of measures to expand the rail network, modernise the technology and railway safety systems as well as to improve the lot of the railway employees.

The Railway Minister has proposed no hike in passenger fares as well as the freight rate in the Rail Budget 2011-12, while announcing the highest-ever plan outlay of Rs 57,630 crore. Out of this Rs 9,583 crore is meant to set up new rail lines and to improve the amenities for passengers.

In her address, Banerjee has proposed an allocation of Rs 9,583 crore for new lines, Rs. 5,406 crore for doubling the lines and Rs. 2,470 crore for gauge conversion projects.

The Railway Minister has also proposed to introduce 56 new Express Trains, 3 new Shatabdis and 9 new Duronto Trains during 2011-12, besides 47 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 50 new suburban services for Kolkata.

To ensure that rail passengers get quality linen, she has proposed additional mechanised laundry units at Nagpur, Chandhigarh and Bhopal. To meet the energy requirements of the Railways, she has proposed to set up a 700 MW gas-based power plant at Thakurli in Maharashtra.

To help the poor as part of social responsibility, the Minister has proposed construction of 10,000 shelter units for track side dwellers in Mumbai, Sealdah, Siliguri, Tiruchirapalli on pilot basis.

The minister has also proposed to extend the concessions to physically handicapped persons in Rajadhani and Shatabdi Trains.

Asserting that bringing social revolution was the chief objective of Railways, she has also announced a non-lapsable fund for social projects under the name of ‘Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana’.

Putting an emphasis on safety, the minister has has said that anti-collision devices will be deployed on more routes. She also declared the year 2011-12 as the 'Year of Green Energy' for the Railways and sought to put emphasis on cleaner and greener use of energy.

Mamata also said that 236 more stations will be upgraded as Adarsh stations. For Railway employees, she proposed the extension of medical facilities to dependent parents, scholarships and hostels for children of railway employees.

She also informed that 1.75 lakh posts in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ are being filled up and steps have been taken to fill up about 13,000 posts in Railway Protection Force.

More On >> Railway Budget 2011, Railway Budget News

Rail Budget 2011: No hike in passenger fares, freights

RAILWAY MINISTER Mamata Banerjee, in her just concluded Rail Budget speech in the Lok Sabha has announced no hike in passenger fares as well as freight rates much to the relief of the rail commuters as well as the Indian industry.

While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Banerjee said that she has attempted to forge a combination of business with social inclusion and responsibility to give it a human face.

The following are the highlights of the Rail Budget delivered today by Mamata Banerjee in the House today.

*  Highest ever Plan outlay of Rs. 57, 630 crore proposed for Railways.
*  Rs. 9,583 crore provided for new lines.
* 1300 km new lines, 867 km doubling of lines and 1017 km gauge conversion targeted in 2011-12.
* 56 new Express Trains, 3 new Shatabdis and 9 Duronto trains to be introduced.
* AC Double Decker services on Jaipur-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes.
* New Super AC Class to be introduced.
* A new portal for e-ticketing to be launched shortly. Booking charges will be cheaper with a charge of only Rs. 10 for AC classes and Rs.5 for others.
* Pan-India multi-purpose smart card “Go India” to be introduced.
* 236 more stations to be upgraded as Adarsh Stations.
* 47 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 50 new suburban services proposed for Kolkata.
* Two new passenger terminals in Kerala and one each in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal proposed.
* Feasibility study to raise speed of passenger trains to 160-200 kmph to be undertaken.
* A special package of two new trains and two projects for the States managing trouble free run of trains through out the year.
* Anti Collision Devise (ACD) sanctioned to cover 8 zonal railways.
* GPS Based ‘Fog Safe’ Device to be deployed.
* All unmanned level crossing upto 3000 to be eliminated.
* All India Security Help line on a single number set up.
* All state capitals in the North-East except Sikkim to be connected by Rail in next seven years.
* A Bridge Factory in J & K and a state-of-art Institute for Tunnel and Bridge Engineering is proposed at Jammu.
* A Diesel Locomotive Centre will be set-up in Manipur.
* A Centre of Excellence in Software at Darjeeling proposed under the aegis of CRIS.
* Rail Industrial Parks at Jellingham and New Bongaigaon proposed.
* Additional mechanized laundry units to be set up at Nagpur, Chandhigarh and Bhopal.
* 700 MW gas-based power plant to be set up at Thakurli in Maharashtra.
* 18,000 Wagons to be procured during 2011-12.
* A scheme for socially desirable projects, ‘Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana’ with Non-lapsable fund proposed.
* 10,000 shelter units proposed for track side dwellers in Mumbai, Sealdah, Siliguri, Tiruchirapalli on pilot basis.
* Concession to physically handicapped persons to be extended on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
* Concession of 50% to press correspondents with family increased to twice a year.
* Senior Citizens concession to be hiked from 30 % to 40 %.
* Medical facilities extended to dependent parents of the Railway employees.
* Scholarship for Girl child of Group-D railway employees increased to Rs.1200 per month.
* 20 additional hostels for children of railway employees to be set up.
* Recruitment for 1.75 lakh vacancies of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ including to fill up backlog of SC/ST initiated, 16,000 ex-servicemen to be inducted by March 2011.
* A separate sports cadre to be created.
* 2011-12 declared ‘Year of Green Energy’ for Railways.
* Freight loading of 993 MT and passenger growth of 6.4 % estimated for 2011-12.
* Gross Traffic Receipts at Rs.1,06,239 crore, exceeding one lakh crore mark for the first time estimated.
* Ordinary Working Expenses assessed at Rs. 73,650 crore.

More On >> Railway Budget 2011, Railway Budget News

Railway Budget 2011 highlights

RAILWAY MINISTER Mamata Banerjee is delivering the Rail Budget in the Lok Sabha in her characteristic style not in any way unnerved by the huge din and cry being made by the opposition members. Repeatedly the Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had to make interventions to calm the opposition members, even as the Rail Minister angrily asked the MPs to keep quite and listen.

Here is a list of proposals made by the Railway Minister as part of her Railway Budget 2011.

Railways will construct 10,000 shelters for people staying next to lines
It will meet the demand for coaches, rail based industries to be set up under Vision 2020
First coach from the new rail factory at Rae Bareli to roll out in next three months
It will set up two wagon units with private partners
It will set up track machine unit in West Bengal
It will construct 700 km rail track each year

It has received 85 proposals under PPP scheme

It will set up 700 megawatt gas based power plant in Maharashtra

It will set up rail industrial park in Nandigram

It will set up railway software unit in Darjeeling
It will set up diesel locomotive works in Manipur
It will set up one metro coach factory in Singur
It will set up a bridge factory in Jammu and Kashmir
It will absorb 16,000 ex-servicemen to be inducted by Railways
The Railways has cancelled 1,500 trains, 3,500 re-scheduled last year
It will set up two new passenger terminals in Kerala
It will ensure better accessibility of stations to physically challenged
It will provide 12000 acres to east-west freight corridor
Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojna to be launched
Safety first priority; accident rate has come down
Work on wagon factory in Orissa to begin after land is acquired
It will do do away with all unmanned railway crossings by next year

Anti collision devices have been deployed in 8 zones
Anti collision devices to be commissioned in 3 zones
It will spend Rs 9583 crore on new lines in FY 12

More On >> Railway Budget 2011, Railway Budget New Trains

Railway budget 2011: Mamata delivers budget in Lok House

UNION RAILWAYS Minister Mamata Banerjee has made a number of proposals in her third railway budget, which is being presented today in the Lok Sabha. Calling the railway budget 2011 the common man's budget, Mamata began her speech on a melodramatic note and defended the railways' stand on following strict business-driven policies, and offering easy access to coal and iron ore freight facility - apart from offering quality food in trains in the form of Jana Ahaar.

Adding that the railways is keen on following a two-pronged strategy, she addressed the need for establishing locomotive units in north east India including Nandigram, Manipur and New Bongaigaon in Assam. This will meet the demand for the supply of railway coaches. She also said that 85 proposals through public-private partnership are under consideration.

For the betterment of functioning of the Indian railways, last year the railways was given $9 billion, which is most likely to be utilised this year. The railways had a deficit of Rs, 2,500 crore last year.

The total earnings of the Indian railways between April 2010 and January 2011 shot up to Rs 76,187.27 crore, whereas freight earning was calculated at Rs. 50,899.2 crore. Freight earnings constitute of two-thirds of the total earnings of Indian Railways.

Some of the proposals made by Mamata Banerjee includes:

> Railway capacity to be increased by 700 kilometres

> Schemes to set up shelters for homeless people living on railway tracks, particularly in Mumbai

> Gas-based power plant in Maharashtra

> Annual plan for financial year is Rs 57,630 crores

> First coach from Rai Baraelly factory to roll out in three months

> Metro coach units to be set up in Nandigram

> Railways to set up factory in J&K

More On >> Railway Budget 2011, Indian Railway Budget

South Africa vs West Indies ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Live Score Card

ON THE green surface of Delhi's historical Ferozeshah Kotla stadium this afternoon, South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to ball first in the seventh match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Both the group 'B' teams, South Africa and West Indies start their ICC Cricket World cup 2011 campaign with this match. Winning the toss could prove very important on this pitch because the outfield is likely to be slowed in the second session because of fog and moisture in the air.
South African captain Graeme Smith has preferred to play with two seamers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and three specialist spinners Johan Botha, Robin Peterson and debutant Imran Tahir in his playing XI. West Indies is playing with one specialist spinner Sulieman Benn in their playing XI.
Before the Cricket World Cup, South Africa won both the warm-up matches in grand style. South African team registered their first victory in the warm-up match against Zimbabwe by eight wickets with 159 balls remaining and in the second warm-up match they beat Australia by seven wickets. Whereas, West Indies won one warm-up match against Kenya by 61 runs and lost to Sri Lanka by four wickets in the second warm-up match.
South Africa and West Indies are meeting for the fifth times in the Cricket World Cup. Both the teams have won two times each, and interestingly, all four matches have been won by the team batting first.

Here is the playing XI of South Africa and West Indies for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.
West Indies: Darren Sammy (Capt), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Kemar Roach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Devon Thomas (wk).

Related News on >> Cricket Live Score , ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2011

No hike in freight and passenger fare.

New Janmabhoomi train between Ahmedabad and Udhampur.

Concession for children of accredited journalists up to 18 years.

Free journey for cancer patients in sleeper and 3AC.

Matribhumi special trains for women.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands to get railway line from Port Blair to Diglipur Velachery-St.Thomas Mount MRTS link by 2012

RPF to have women battalion

New train service to Dhaka, Bangladesh from Agartala.

Wagon Repair Shop to be set up in Badnera near Amravati in Maharashtra

Service charge on AC fares cut to Rs. 20

Land acquisition: One member from the family would be given employment in Railways

New housing scheme for 14 lakh employees

To provide clean and cheap drinking water to passengers.

Five sports academies to be set-up, including Delhi, Chennai, Secunderabad

E-tickets to be made available at panchayat level

Special drive for improving passenger amentities

More Related News on >> Railway Budget 2011, Railway Budget Highlights

Railways to earn over Rs.26,000 cr from passengers

The Indian Railways today said it expects earnings from passenger traffic to rise 9 per cent to to Rs 26,126.47 crore in the next fiscal.

According to the Railway Budget, Rs 24,350.10 crore would come from non-suburban passengers while Rs 1,776.37 crore from suburban traffic. For the current fiscal, the earning estimates are at Rs 24,057.03 crore.

The Railways has also said it would carry 777 crore passengers in the next fiscal, an increase of over 5 per cent compared to the current financial year. Commuters ferried by the Railways in 2009-10 stands at 737 crore, according to the Budget.

It is expected that in the next fiscal, over 404 crore passengers would come from the suburban areas and 372 crore from the non—suburban areas. Out of the Rs 1,776 crore revenue estimated from suburban passengers in the next fiscal, the Railways has targeted Rs 1,523 crore from ordinary second class.

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Cricket World cup tickets up for grabs through lottery system

THE RUSH for getting tickets for the final match of the ongoing ICC cricket world cup 2011 ended on a sour note when the official ticket website crashed due to heavy traffic.

The sale of world cup tickets for the final match, which was to start at 19:30 GMT on Tuesday, February 22 did not go as scheduled as the website could not handle the amount of traffic trying to visit the site. 

Due to the heavy rush of online traffic, servers could not handle the load and eventually crashed hours before the scheduled opening.

However, as per latest reports, it is being expected that tickets will now be available via a lottery system. In order to claim world cup tickets, the visitor will have to visit the website and record their names in an online ballot box on the tournament's official ticketing website. The lottery is will take place once the period for registration is complete.

The ICC world cup 2011 final will be held at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, which has a strength of accommodating 33,000 spectators. During initial bookings, 4,000 cricket world cup tickets were made available for the public out of which 1,000 world cup tickets can be purchased online and the remaining 3,000 world cup tickets are reserved for people who queue up at the stadium box offices.

The rest of the world cup tickets have been distributed amongst the clubs associated with the Mumbai Cricket Association and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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Railway Budget 2011: What's in the bag

Railway Budget 2011, to be presented on February 25th, may bring the announcement of setting up of a Rail Industrial Park along with the introduction of green toilets, to cater the various needs of the Railways Divisions, including the manufacturing of components for rail operations.

Indian Railway Ministry has proposed for setting up of a green toilet manufacturing unit at Nagpur.Green toilets, such as controlled discharge toilet system and zero discharge toilet system are being tested by the Indian Railways currently, which are based on bio-digester technology. Introduction of green toilets will be a step forward towards commitment of providing a cleaner environment.

Railway Budget may also make way for the expansion of Diesel Loco Works at Varanasi and setting up of a diesel locomotive shed in Mariani, Assam.

Besides, the provision of good quality food outlets at reasonable prices to the passengers – ‘Jan Ahaar’, may also find their place in the Railways Budget.

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Railway budget 2011: A lot of expectations from Mamata

The railway budget 2011, which will be announced on February 25 comes with a lot of expectations for the common man. With expenditure being more than revenue, railway officials are expected to be inspired by Lalu Prasad Yadav.

 

WITH HARDLY a few days left for Union Railway minister Mamata Banerjee to unveil the Railway Budget 2011, all hopes are pinned on the benefits and the sooting prospects the railway budget 2011 will bring along with it.

Although the common man got a breather with no ticket price hike in this railway budget 2011, the railway budget 2011 is expected to focus on passenger amenities, freight issues, reduced delays in investment and infrastructure work, and to think how gross profit exceeds gross expenses.

Keeping in view the railways' outstanding debts, expense controlling seems to be the highlights of the upcoming railway budget 2011. Some areas emphasised include housing facilities, utilizing earnings, and increase in number of trains. The revenues and expenditures incurred during the last financial year are as follows:

> Gross earnings during the ongoing financial year is pegged at  Rs. 88,281 crores.

> Gross working expenditures incurred during the financial year amounted to Rs. 87,100 crores.

IN order to curb the growing expenses, the railways is expected to set up its own industrial hub in order to manufacture and market the different components for its rail operations. A railway official said that ancillary units will be set up at the Rail Industrial Park which would cater to the needs of railways.

Additions like green toilet manufacturing units in Nagpur and expansion of Diesel Loco Works at Varanasi are also expected to find a place for itself in the railway budget 2011, which will be announced on February 25.

 

Related Topics >> Common Man Expectations, New Trains

Will Mamta get away with a balancing act?

The Railway Budget to be delivered by Union Railways Minister will be interesting as Mamta Banerjee will try to balance political mileage with practical issues confronting the Railways.
Due to the many calamities and mishaps that took place in 2010 the railway department is expecting two times the budget allotted in the previous year. Currently the railway budget is in tatters and is undergoing a financial crisis. In order to be on top of things railway officials will require an increase in the budgetary support from the Finance Ministry.

On the political front, Mamta will have to deal with demands and sops from different states, including hers, West Bengal, on the other hand she will have to ensure fiscal prudence. On the national level too, she will have to be wary about increase in railwat tariffs, etc., so as not to cause any political harm.
Already, the railway department has requested Rs 39,600 crore as gross budgetary support in 2011 as compared to the Rs 15,875 crore that it received in the 2010 budget. This massive jump in budgetary support is not only for maintenance but also for the ongoing and upcoming railway projects. The railway department also aims at further expanding and modernizing the railway infrastructure of the country.
The Indian business community and the common people expect an increase in the production of wagons, coaches and locos, gauge conversion, and doubling of tracks and laying of more railway tracks. There should also be an increase in the number of trains and freight carriers.
The Railway department has ambitious plans with a target to increase the number of coaches from 3700 in the previous year to 4000 coaches in 2011-12. In the wagon manufacturing segment the department plans to manufacture 18,000 wagons, and as far as locomotives are concerned they are expected to increase by another 5000.
We should also expect the 2011 railway budget to give importance to safety and security issues such as improving the signaling system, train protection warning system and installing safety related technology like Anti-collision devices.

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Uttarakhand should get its share in the Rail budget

UNION RAILWAY minister Mamata Banerjee must not ignore the long pending demands of the people from Uttarakhand in Railway budget. And this not only Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal ‘Nishank's' feeling but also the people of state feel that Uttarakhand should not be ignored in the budget as the development of railways in the state would open new employment avenues for the youth. This will also  help in boosting the economic growth thus making the state grow prosperous.

Several important railway projects were announced earlier by the railway ministers for Uttarakhand in which Tanakpur-Bageshwar and Haridwar-Karnaprayag were prominent besides laying of a new broad gauge line between Kiccha and Khatima, survey for a new broad gauge line between Dehradun and Chandigarh. But instead of new projects even the work on Lal Kuan-Bareilly gauge conversion, Tanakpur-Pilibhit gauge conversion, doubling of railway line between Laksar-Haridwar-Dehradun, Haridwar-Rishikesh and its electrification is also pending following crunch of financial resources.

There was proposal to convert Lal Kuan junction into a full-fledged junction with at least six platforms to operate many express and passengers trains from here as there was no space available at Kathgodam which is right now the last rail head on this route. There is also a need to electrify the rail route from Najibabad to Kotdwar. By taking up of electrification upto the last rail heads in all stations, the railways would save money on diesel besides it will also end the pollution emitting out from diesel railway engines.

The Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail link is being looked as a strategic rail route following proximity to China border and as China is building up its military might with adequate infrastructure in areas bordering India, we need to build this rail links as it will cut down travelling time too between the two places to a great extent. The rail connectivity in the remote areas of this hilly state would also help the goods getting transported in an economical manner.

Besides improvement in rail connectivity will promote tourism and help small farmers of the state for promoting their business. It will give many people a chance to get employed in their own district thus it will put a check on the migration of people too.

Well all eyes are set on Mamta Banerjee now and the people of Uttarakhand are hoping that their demands are included in the Rail budget.

Also Check Out >> Industry Expectations, Railway Budget Highlights

Indian batting on top against Bangladesh, bowlers must wake up

IN THE opening match of the ICC World Cup 2011 India defeated co-hosts Bangladesh in style. All this action took place at Mirpur’s Sher- e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. While hosts Bangladesh wanted to win the match, India wanted to avenge their defeat in the 2007 World Cup, where they were defeated quite badly.

The early exit of Sachin Tendulkar in the match came as a blow for the team, which batted first. However,swashbuckling Indian opener, Virender Sehwag took the Bangladeshi bowlers to the cleaners and scored his 14th ODI century, off just 94 balls. His next 50 runs came off just 30 balls. Together with his teammate Virat Kohli, who completed his ton in just 83 balls, Sehwag was able to script a magnificent win for India.

On the bowling side too, there were both pros and cons. Medium pacer Munaf Patel took four wickets by giving away just 48 runs in 10 overs but pacer Sreesanth was wayward giving away 53 runs in just five overs. With Munaf’s bowling, India was taken a step closer towards a predictable yet patchy victory.

It was also a day of setting up of new records. Virender Sehwag’s 175 runs became the highest individual score for the opening match of the World Cup, beating New Zealand legend Glenn Turner’s record of 171 in 1975 opener. India’s 370 mark also became the highest score for the opening match of World Cup beating England’s 334 in the 1975 edition. Sehwag’s score of 175 is also his personal highest breaking his earlier record of 146.

He also equaled Kapil Dev’s knock of 175 not out in 1983 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. This 32 year old, Indian opener smashed 14 boundaries and hammered five sixes in his knock of 175 runs. Though he was successful in breaking many records but couldn’t break record of highest score by an Indian by Saurav Ganguly which is 183 runs and also the highest ever World Cup score of 188 by Gary Kirsten- now the Indian coach.

His teammate Virat Kohli too scored his fifth one day ton and became a part of the group of cricketers, who have scored a hundred on the World Cup debut. At a fast rate of 8.4 runs per over, he and his partner Sehwag yielded 203 runs for the third wicket partnership. The partnership was also the fifth double century partnership for India in the World Cup with Sehwag featuring in all of them.

On the other hand, Bangladesh batsman also challeneged India belligerently. By the end of the first power play they were at a score of 68 runs for the loss of one wicket, with the first 50 runs coming off just less than five overs. Imrul Kayes scored 34 runs out off 29 balls. Captain Shakib-Al-Hassan scored a magnificent 55 runs off just 50 balls and the opener, Tamim Iqbal scored 70 runs out off 86 balls.

Read More on>>>  ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Cricket World Cup Schedule, Cricket Live Score, Cricket World Cup Points Table

Railway Budget 2011-12 - Jharkhand Mukti Morcha demands New trains from Railway Minister

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has threatened to launch an agitation if their demands related to introduction of new trains alongside increasing frequencies and extension of few trains and other passenger amenities are not entertained in the Railway Budget 2011-12.

With railway minister Mamata Banerjee is set to announce the rail budget on 25th February, Bokaro residents have started raising their voice for the fulfilment of their demands.Bokaro is the highest revenue-earning station of Adra railway division, which is also hometown of JMM chief Shibu Soren.

Railway budget announced last year had shattered the hopes of residents as most of their demands were not heared. The JMM workers do want the same to be repeated this year too. And have started raising their voice by holding dharnas and demonstrations. Apart from the JMM, the Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industries and other local bodies are also demanding the same.

Residents have raised demand for new or extension of trains for Karnataka and Maharastra in Railway Budget 2011 as many youths of the town are studying there. They also want a train for Ahmedabad.

Other Latest News On >> Railway Budget , Railway Budget 2011

Cricket World Cup Live: Kohli slams fifty after Sehwag's ton

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli hit his 13th half-century after Virender Sehwag's 14th century as India dominated the proceedings against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup opener at the Shere Bangla stadium.

ICC Cricket World Cup Live Scorecard

Kohli reached the milestone off 46 deliveries with the help of five fours.

Sehwag slammed nine fours and a big six in his 94-ball century.

Bangladesh spinner Mahmudullah clean bowled Gautam Gambhir (39) in the 24th over to break the dangerous looking second wicket partnership.

Sehwag and Gambhir continued India charge after losing Sachin Tendulkar to a freak run out and added 83-run partnership for the second wicket.

Gambhir slammed three fours in his 39-ball innings in the match.

Sehwag completed his 37th one-day fifty with a big six as he raced to half-century in just 45 balls.

A horrible mix-up with Sehwag ended Tendulkar's (28) stay on crease. Sachin was run out by Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan in the eleventh over. The master blaster hit four boundaries in his 29-ball innings.

Put in to bat first, India openers added run-a-ball 69 runs partnership at Shere Bangla National stadium.

The dashing openers took India's score to 50 in just 8.5 overs, when Tendulkar slammed his fourth boundary of the innings.

Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to field against co-hosts India in the tournament-opener on Saturday.

Dhoni and his men are eager to settle the score after Bangladesh stunned them in 2007 and kick start their campaign on a positive note at the Shere Bangla National stadium.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have so far been content with an odd upset and have been generally looked upon as underachievers but the tigers look to shrug off that tag when they lock horns with India at home.

Though they have just five victories from 20 World Cup matches to show, Bangladesh has the distinction of beating Pakistan on debut during the 1999 edition and ousting India and defeating South Africa four years ago.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Raqibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (WIS)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Pitch conditions: A hard wicket that is expected to help the slow bowlers in the later stages of the game. The team bowling second could find the ball difficult to grip if late evening dew arrives as predicted.

ICC Cricket World Cup: India off to a flying start

Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag give India a smashing start during the World Cup opener on Saturday at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Earlier, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bowl against India. For India, pacer Ashish Nehra will not play in the Group B encounter due to a back injury.

The others who have failed to make the final playing XI for India are spinners R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla and batsman Suresh Raina.

In Bangladesh team, veteran batsman Mohammad Ashraful has been left out.

The Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c&wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.

World Cup Live: India off to a brisk start

Put in to bat first, India opener Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag started aggressively against Bangladesh as they begin their 2011 cricket World Cup campaign on Saturday.

Live Scorecard

Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to field against co-hosts India in the tournament-opener.

Title aspirants India will have revenge on their minds after minnows Bangladesh had ensured their early exit in the first round of the 2007 edition at the Caribbeans.

Dhoni and his men will be eager to settle the score and kick start their campaign on a positive note at the Shere Bangla National stadium.

Tipped as one of the favourites, the current world number two side, boasts off an exceptionally balanced team.

The explosive batting line-up will be marshalled by Sachin Tendulkar, who would be participating in his sixth World Cup this time around and the senior batsmen will look to give India a flying start with Virender Sehwag.

Gautam Gambhir will be next, while the middle-order also looks rock solid with Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan -- all capable of playing big-shots and also rotating the strike.

In their second and last warm-up game, India scored a mammoth 360 against New Zealand and it will give a lot of confidence to the batsmen, especially skipper Dhoni and Gambhir, who hit an unbeaten 108 and 89 respectively.

In the bowling department, Dhoni have picked three pacers and a spinner as India is going with a four-pronged attack.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have so far been content with an odd upset and have been generally looked upon as underachievers but the tigers look to shrug off that tag when they lock horns with India at home.

Though they have just five victories from 20 World Cup matches to show, Bangladesh has the distinction of beating Pakistan on debut during the 1999 edition and ousting India and defeating South Africa four years ago.

Skippered by Shakib-Al-Hasan, Bangladesh have a few good batsmen in the pint-sized dynamic opener Tamim Iqbal and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Besides, captain Shakib-Al-Hasan, himself, ranks number one in the ICC's all-rounders list and knows how to wield the willow.

Bangladesh won their first warm-up match against Canada but lost to Pakistan in the second tie. However, their openers Tamim and Imrul Kayes have got runs under their belt in the two matches.

Though their pace attack will lack the fire-power of speedster Mashrafe Mortaza, 21-year-old pacer Rubel Hossain had claimed five wickets in the warm-up matches.

Besides, Bangladesh also have some good tweakers in left-arm slow bowlers Shakib and Abdur Razzaq, who can get handy support from many other part-timers.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Raqibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)

TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (WIS)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Pitch conditions: A hard wicket that is expected to help the slow bowlers in the later stages of the game. The team bowling second could find the ball difficult to grip if late evening dew arrives as predicted.

ICC WC 2011: Eng beat Pak in warm-up; India vs Bang today

TEAM INDIA will take on co-host Bangladesh today at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur in the inaugural match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. A day before team India opens ICC World Cup 2011 against Bangladesh, left arm pacer Ashish Nehra was ruled out with a sore back. However, Indian team manager Ranjib Biswal denied reports regarding Ashish Nehra's fitness problems.

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium pitch is likely to help spinners. In the warm-up match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the same venue, the pitch had turn for the spinners. Toss will also play a very important role for both captains because of the dew factor. The team defending a target under floodlights, will face certain difficulties because of a wet outfield. It is most likely that Dhoni will include two specialist spinners in the playing eleven in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

In the last warm-up match before the start of World Cup England beat Pakistan by 67 runs at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah. After batting first, the English team were all out for 273 runs in 49.4 overs. Kevin Pietersen and Collingwood scored 66 and 65 runs respectively.

In reply, the Pakistan team were all out for 206 runs in 46.1 overs. England's pacer Stuart Broad picked five wickets in the warm-up match. Broad's figures were 8.1-1- 25-5. Earlier, Broad took five wickets against Canada in the first warm-up match of England. Younis Khan was the highest run-getter for Pakistan, adn scored 80 runs.

Inaugural India vs Bangladesh tie promises to be a cracker in ICC Cricket World Cup

IN THE inaugural match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, team India will play against co-host Bangladesh at Sher-e Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Saturday, February 19. This match can be seen as the match of revenge for Team India. In ICC World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, India lost to Bangladesh by five wickets in their opening tie.
India, who are amongst the strongest contenders for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, have won both their warm-up matches. India won the first warm-up match against Australia by 38 runs and in the second match against New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai it won by 117 runs.
In the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 between India and Bangladesh, the Indian team will most likely comprise of seven batsmen and four bowlers including two spinners. Batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar is playing his record sixth World Cup. Virat Kohli, who is performing consistently can be the key player for Indian team. In the bowling department, all eyes will be on Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. Toss will also play a very important for both captains.
Indian team probables for the first match in the ICC World Cup 2011 against Bangladesh include MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel.
The India and Bangladesh inaugural match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will start from 02:00 PM IST, and will be telecast live on ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket channels.

India vs Bangladesh World Cup 2011, Cricket live score, streaming and highlights

Just a few hours for the Cricket World Cup 2011 to begin. India take on Bangladesh in the first game of the World Cup 2011, the two teams will play the ODI at Mirpur in Bangladesh on February 19 and it will be a day-night encounter, the game will begin in five hours from now at 2.30 pm local time, 9 GMT.
India will go into the game knowing that the last time they had played Bangladesh, they had been bundled out for 191 and lost the game.
This time around, the side will look to bat much better than what they had last time and try to rout the home team.
Click to see  ICC Cricket World Cup, India vs Bangladesh

Enthusiastic Bangladesh gives gala opening of ICC World Cup

BANGLADESH HAS proved to be a perfect host by giving impressive gala opening to ICC Cricket World cup. The ceremony was attended by an estimated 25,000 fans who were seen partying away partying away to their own rhythm of vuvuzelas, carrying Bangladesh flags about measuring upto 50 feet in length as soon as the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the games open.

The opening ceremony started with speeches of ICC officials and ICC President Sharad Pawar left the spectators spellbounded when he opened the his speech in Bangla.

‘The people were present in such huge numbers, we have never seen like this in other opening ceremony’ said one sport journalist who was present at the time of the ceremony.

The opening ceremony marked the presence of 2100 school and college students and 350 members from the armed forces who depicted key movements that took place in Bangladesh since its creation apart from Bangladesh's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic March 7 speech.

The pyrotechnic show inside the stadium was one of the major attractions apart from the presence of Canadian rockstar Bryan Adams. The Grammy award winner crooned his popular songs like "Lets make it a night to remember", "Summer of '69", and "18 till I die" among others apart from south Asian singers like Sonu Nigam, Bangladeshi vocalists Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin and Mumtaz.

Related Topics >> ICC Cricket World Cup , Cricket World Cup News

Pak Vs England World Cup warm-up match today, live score card

IN THE last warm-up match before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Pakistan will take on England at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah in Bangladesh this afternoon. In their first warm-up matches, both Pakistan and England won their ties against Bangladesh and Canada respectively.
In the first warm-up match against Bangladesh, Pakistan won by a huge margin of 89 runs on Tuesday, February 15. With the help of brilliant hundreds by opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan scored 285 runs for the loss of nine wickets. In reply Bangladesh were all out for 196 runs in 41.4 overs. Pak all-rounder Abdul Razzaq claimed three wickets, just for 31 runs.
In another warm-up match between England and Canada at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah, England won the match by 16 runs. The English team was all-out for 243 runs against one of the weakest teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. In reply, after the top-order collapse, Canada's Rizwan Cheema gave a massive scare to the English team as he scored 93 runs in 71 balls with 10 fours and five sixes. England's pacer Stuart Broad picked five Canadian wickets at the cost of 37 runs in 8.1 overs.
Live score of the last warm-up match between Pakistan and England will be available here.

Check Out >> Live Scoreboard, Opening Ceremony Pictures

ICC World Cup 2011 opens up with glitzy opening ceremony

BANGLADESHI PRIME Minister Sheikh Hasina declared open the 43-day long extravaganza ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in a glitzy opening ceremony at Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, February 17. The ceremony was attended by around 25,000 spectators.

International Cricket Council (ICC) President Sharad Pawar, ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorgat were also present at the stadium. The opening ceremony was jointly organised by the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The 135-minute long opening ceremony began at Bangabandhu Stadium with the Bangladesh national anthem "Amar Sonar Bangla" composed by famous poet and nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Captains of all the fourteen participating nations entered the stadium in colourful rickshaws during the grand opening ceremony of the tenth edition of ICC World Cup 2011.

The opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 featured a laser show, fireworks display and cultural performances.

Canadian singer and Grammy award winner Bryan Adams rocked the show with his hits including "Lets make it a night to remember", "Summer of 69" and "18 till I die" among others. Indian music director trio Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy performed on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 official song, "De Ghumaa Ke" in three languages viz Hindi, Sinhalese and Bangla.

Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam, Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Momtaz Begum and Sri Lankan singers also enthralled the spectators at Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka as well as millions of viewers on television screens. More then  2,000 school and college students of Bangladesh also performed during the grand opening ceremony of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Check Out >> Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony, Opening Ceremony Pictures

Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony about to begin

Finally, it is time for what the cricket world has been waiting for - the 10th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup to be staged in the sub-continent. Touted as the biggest and the most extravagant event in the cricketing history, the World cup will open in Bangladesh's capital of Dhaka in a two-hour long opening ceremony that promises fanfare and glitterati.

The grand opening ceremony on Thursday, February 17, 2011 will mark the coveted event’s return to the sub-continent after a span of 15 years. This time the cup is being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

This is the third time that the world cup is being staged in the sub-continent - the first instance was in 1987 when India and Pakistan came together to host the event out of England. Once again in 1996, India and Pakistan, joined by Sri Lanka, hosted the event successfully.

The current edition will feature 14 teams and 49 matches spread across 13 venues in the three host countries. 29 matches will be played in India along with the final on April 2nd, whereas 12 matches will be played in Sri Lanka and the remaining eight in Bangladesh.

With the inauguration ceremony scheduled in Dhaka, the capital city is geared up to take the centre stage with a two-hour spectacle of song, dance and laser shows at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. To spruce up the occasion, internationally-acclaimed rock star Bryan Adams will perform at the stadium.

India, the power house of world cricket, as far as revenue generation and standing is concerned, is being considered as one of the favourites to win the cup.

From the time the first match is played between co-hosts Bangladesh and India, till the final on April 2nd at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, it will be celebration time for cricket fans in the Indian sub-continent.

This world cup is special in one other aspect that many greats of the game unlikely to be seen playing a world cup again, as they are in the twilight of their careers.

The list of stalwarts playing their last world cup includes Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Muttiah Murlitharan, Paul Collingwood, Shivnarayan Chanderpaul, etc.

However, one man who is going to hog the limelight is none other than our very own Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - one of the greatest batsmen of the world. Having broken the cricketing records of all hues- the world cup is the only alluding achievement that the little master does not have. His fans in India and across the globe would be hoping that his desire comes true this time.

What a fitting send off will it be for the master blaster if Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men lift the trophy at Wankhede Stadium. However, till that happens, the cricket fans are going to have a blast with the teams fighting it out for the coveted trophy.

ICC World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony to dazzle all

The BANGABANDHU NATIONAL Stadium in Dhaka is all set for the grand opening ceremony of the tenth edition of ICC Cricket World Cup on February 17. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially declare open the biggest sporting extravaganza of the year, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at 6:00 PM local time.
Apart from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ICC President Sharad Pawar, officials of the ICC governing body, members and presidents of various cricket boards and the 14 participating teams will be present at the stadium.

The opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will feature fireworks display and cultural performances by renowned Indian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi artists. Indian singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan along with Ehsaan and Loy will perform the official song for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 "De Ghumaa Ke" in three languages on this occasion.
Famous Canadian singer Bryan Adams is scheduled to  perform in the opening ceremony of the tournament. Indian playback singers such as Sonu Nigam, Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin and folk singer Momtaz Begum, and Sri Lankan pop singers Baithya, Santhusth and Iraj are among the list of performers, who will rock the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be telecast live on ESPN STAR Sports' bouquet of networks including ESPN, STAR Sports and STAR Cricket.

S Africa, Lanka win warm-up matches, India Vs Kiwis match today

IN THE 13th warm-up match before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India will take on New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai this afternoon. Meanwhile, at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah warm-up match between England vs Canada match has started. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England had lost their three wickets for 64 runs in 15 overs.
Earlier on Tuesday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, South Africa won by seven wickets against Australia. After batting first team Australia were all-out for 217 runs in 47.1 overs. For the Australian side captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke both score fifties. South African fast bowler Dale Steyn and spinner Robin Peterson picked three wickets each.
In reply, South Africans chased the target in 44.2 overs with the help of captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla fifties. The opening pair took South Africa to 131 before Smith left the crease. Defending world champion Australia has lost both warm-up matches before ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
In an another warm-up match on Tuesday, Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets against West Indies at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. In the allotted 50 overs, West Indies were all-out for 281 runs. Sri Lanka won the match in 47.3 overs with four wickets in hand. World Cup co-host Sri Lanka has won both the warm-up matches before ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
In a warm-up match between south Asian nations, Pakistan and Bangladesh at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Pakistan won the match by 89 runs. After batting first, Pakistan set the target of 286 runs for Bangladesh with the help of brilliant hundreds of opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq.
In another warm-up match on Tuesday, Ireland won by 4 wickets against Zimbabwe and Netherlands won by 2 wickets against Kenya.

Check Here >> ICC Cricket World Cup Schedule, Live Cricket Score

Countdown begins for the ICC World Cup opening ceremony

FOR CRICKET fans final hours of the countdown has begun for the much awaited opening ceremony of ICC World Cup which will be held in Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on February 17. The ceremony will be telecast live across 220 countries on major sports channels.

For the opening ceremony, the entire city has been decked up and the government has already declared February 17 as a public holiday from 2 pm onwards. The excitement can be felt in the air as it is the first time ever that Bangladesh will be co-hosting an international event along with Sri Lanka and India.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the ceremony which will include 14 nations vying for the top spot lasting for 42 days. The ceremony is scheduled to last for 135 hours. Bangladesh will also host eight world cup matches including two quarterfinals, six in Dhaka and two in the port city of Chittagong.

The cricket stadium in Dhaka will have a performance by Bryan Adams from Canada, which will be his first time ever in Bangladesh. He is the only western artist, who will perform at the grand opening on the evergreen song ‘Summer of 69’ that will make this event an unforgettable experience.

Others who are going to perform include Indian musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who will croon the official song of the ICC World Cup 2011, 'De Ghuma Ke', Runa Laila, Bhappi Lahri, Usha Uthup, and Sonu Nigam. The tickets for ICC World Cup Cricket 2011 opening ceremony will be available from February, 13,  2011 in Dhaka Bank at price ranges from 1000 to 35000 taka.

Price of Tickets :

1. Normal Local Gallery : 1000 taka.
2. International Gallery : 10000 taka.
3. Grand tickets : 20000 taka.
4. Hospitality Box tickets : 35000 taka.

The total number of audience expected to witness the World Cup Opening Ceremony Event Live at the Bangabandhu Stadium currently stands at 40,000. At the moment, the Bangladeshi capital is the focal centre of the entire cricketing world.

Wizcraft International Entertainment which had managed Commonwealth Games 2010 opening and closing ceremonies is an integral part of core team that has developed the concept for opening ceremony along with the organising committee.

Check out >> Cricket World Cup Schedule, World Cup 2011 Match Results

India Vs New Zealand ICC World Cup 2011 warm-up match on Feb 16

IN THEIR second warm-up match before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, team India will take on New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, February 16. Both India and New Zealand have won their first warm-up match against Australia and Ireland respectively.
On Sunday, team India had won against Australia in their first warm-up match by 38 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. After batting first, India scored 214 runs in 44.3 overs. At one stage Indians had lost their eight wickets for 128 runs. For the ninth wicket, Yusuf Pathan and R. Ashwin added 49 runs and for the last wicket Ashwin and Nehra added 27 runs. Virender Sehwag was the top scorer, he scored 54 runs.
In reply, Australia were 118/2 at one stage, but the Indian spinners, Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh clinched victory from the jaw of defeat. They shared seven Australians wicket costing mere 46 runs. Ricky Ponting and his team were all-out for 176 runs.
In an another warm-up match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, New Zealand beat Ireland by 32 runs at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on February 12. New Zealand scored 311/6 in 50 overs with the help of opener Martin Guptill's hundred. Guptill struck 12 fours and three sixes in his 130 runs inning. In reply Ireland were all-out for 279 runs in 49th over. Captain William Porterfield was the leading run getter for his side, scored 72 runs in 74 deliveries.
In the last ODI series between India and New Zealand in November - December 2010, India sweeped the series of five matches 5-0.
India and New Zealand's warm-up match on February 16 in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will start from 02:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket.

Find More On >> Cricket World Cup Schedule, ICC Cricket World Cup News

Has Mahendra Singh Dhoni breached ambush marketing clause?

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has attracted the eyeballs that he would rather not. His recent endorsement of an electronic product seems to have caused a flutter that he could have done well without.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dashed off a letter pointing out that a recent commercial Dhoni had featured in could be in breach of its ambush marketing laws.

According to sources, the ICC has written to chief executives of all the national boards reminding them of the need for strict adherence to the ambush marketing clause after the publication of the Dhoni’s commercial in a leading national daily.

The exact content of the letter was not known but the Board of Control for Cricket in India is believed to have been told that the Dhoni commercial constituted breach.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan could not be immediately reached for comment but a Board official said the Indian players would be cautioned to ensure that
such things do not recur. So far, no instruction seems to have gone to the Indian skipper.

Team manager Ranjib Biswal has denied receiving any instruction from the BCCI. “We’re not aware of any thing,” Biswal said. Team India reached Chennai on Monday evening. In the advertisement, Dhoni was seen
endorsing a product that is a competition to an official sponsor of the World Cup.

As per the ambush marketing rules, that is not permitted from seven days prior to the start of the championship.

But Dhoni’s managers claim that all things were kept in mind before the shoot was done. “We have paid attention to every minute detail in the ICC guidelines. The colour of Dhoni’s clothing was changed and a re-shoot was done to ensure that no clause was breached,” said a manager of India captain.

When contacted, an ICC spokesman declined comment on the issue. Dhoni had held a long meeting with the top brass of the BCCI recently on the issues of commercials and endorsements. The India skipper was on teleconference with the BCCI officials when four India players, including Sachin Tendulkar, called on them in Mumbai on February 4.

However, sources say the discussion at the meeting was more on the players’ endorsements of their Indian Premier League (IPL) teams rather than on the World Cup related issues. “The meeting was not about these ambush marketing clauses surely. The discussion was on something else,” said a Board source.

Read More >> ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, ICC Cricket World Cup

Sachin, Laxman win ESPN Cricinfo Awards 2010

INDIAN BATTING star VVS Laxman has won the Test batsman award in the fourth annual ESPN cricinfo Awards for his 96 runs match winning inning in the second cricket Test between India and South Africa at Durban, December last year. India had won the Durban test by 87 runs and Laxman, who is popularly known as very very special, was announced the man-of-the-match.

The fourth annual ESPN cricinfo Awards were announced on Monday in Bangalore.

South African pacer Dale Steyn won the Test bowler award for his match winning spell of seven wickets at the cost of 51 runs in 16.4 overs in the first inning of the first test between India and visitors South Africa in Nagpur in February, 2010. South Africa won the test by an innings and six runs.

Sachin Tendulkar, the only cricketer who scored double hundred in One Day International in Gwalior last year, won the ESPN cricinfo one-day batsman award for his unforgettable inning in Gwalior. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has already scored 17,629 runs in 444 ODIs with 46 hundreds.

Pakistani pacer Umer Gul was conferred with one-day bowler award in the ESPN cricinfo Awards 2010 in Bangalore on Monday. Gul won the award for his 6-42 spell at The Oval against England in September 2010.

Australian batsman Michael Hussey, who is not in the Australian ICC Cricket World Cup squad due to injury won the prestigious ESPN cricinfo Awards for his 60 run inning in the World T20 semi-final against Pakistan, whereas New Zealand's medium-pacer Tim Southee won the T20 bowling award for his five wickets haul including a hat-trick against Pakistan in December, 2010.

Related News on >> ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Cricket World Cup

Strauss clears up Kevin Pietersen retirement rumours

England captain Andrew Strauss is reassured by Kevin Pietersen's denial that he plans to retire from ODI cricket.30-year-old Pietersen was moved to clarify his intention to continue playing 50-over cricket, come what may for England in the Cricket World Cup, after press reports claimed he would soon be limiting himself to the Test and Twenty20 formats.

On England's arrival in Dhaka on Sunday for two warm-up matches before the sub-Continental tournament gets under way in earnest, Strauss repeated: "Kevin has denied those rumours."

"You can understand a situation where players, at the back-end of their career, need to manage their workload and might decide one form of the game is more appropriate for them to keep playing than all of them.
"We've seen Brett Lee do it; Murali's [Muttiah Muralitharan] doing it now - so there is a lot of precedent there - but that's more playing the short form of the game."

Strauss himself played only four Twenty20 internationals before deciding for himself, at the age of 32, that he did not warrant a place in the 'sprint' line-up.
"It's an ongoing saga with international cricketers," he said."There are heavy schedules, and people need to manage their bodies in the latter part of their careers.

"It's something players individually have to think about."England's World Twenty20-winning captain Paul Collingwood, part of the squad hoping to help Strauss add the 50-over crown for good measure, retired from Test cricket last month.

The all-rounder did so on the back of a run of poor batting form.
But Strauss said: "Paul Collingwood's greatest strength is that he contributes all over the park."His bowling has been very effective, probably a lot more than people would have thought in Australia, and he is the sort of bowler who should do well out here."He is an unbelievable fielder as well.

"That's what he brings to the party, and why he's such an invaluable member of our side."I think he'll come back into form with the bat as well. He's too good a player not to - and if he does so, he could have a dramatic impact on our chances in the Cricket World Cup."

England will need Collingwood at his best, in the absence of Eoin Morgan with a finger injury - and Strauss did not seek yesterday to gloss over how badly the Irishman may be missed."We're very disappointed not to have Eoin Morgan. He's been one of the stand-out performers for us in one-day cricket recently.

"But we're going to have to make do without him. We've got some good back-up - Ravi Bopara is coming into the side, having had a lot of success in Indian conditions before at the IPL, and we are hoping he can fill Morgan's boots adequately."

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Indian cricket grounds given all-clear

The head of cricket's governing body says the Kolkata and Mumbai grounds have been given the final clearance to stage World Cup matches after concerns about their readiness.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat says the grounds are ready, meaning only one match, India's fixture with England on February the 27th, had to be switched from Kolkata's Eden Gardens to Bangalore.

Mumbai has been given the go-ahead to stage the final on April the 2nd as well as two other group-stage fixtures. A report from the ICC Cricket World Cup inspection team is expected on Wednesday to confirm Lorgat's comments.

Lara: South Africa favorite for cricket World Cup

Brian Lara favors South Africa to win the cricket World Cup but says it needs to ignore the bad luck which has plagued its five previous campaigns.

The former West Indies captain says South Africa, a semifinalist on three occasions, "is capable of playing consistent cricket as is required in a long tournament like the ICC Cricket World Cup," but he would probably not bet on it because it has a World Cup "bogey."

Lara named Australia, England and India as other teams to watch out for in the 14-team tournament to be hosted jointly by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Feb. 19.

Lara was on the sidelines of a cricket clinic at Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

ICC World Cup 2011: Australia to take on SA in warm up match

THREE VERY important warm-up matches are scheduled to be held in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on Tuesday, February 15. Australia vs South Africa, Bangladesh vs Pakistan and Sri Lanka vs West Indies matches will be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur and R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo respectively.
In their first warm-up match the South Africans defeated another African country Zimbabwe by 8 wickets with 159 balls remaining at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In an another warm-up match on Sunday February 13 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, Australia lost to India by 38 runs in a very close match.
According to the Cricket World Cup record book, since 1999 Kangaroos have won all the Cricket World Cup matches against the Proteas. During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in Caribbean island, Australia beat South Africa by 83 runs in the final Group A match. Both South Africa and Australia once again met in the second Semi-Final match in the Cricket World Cup at the Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, where Australia beat South Africa by 7 wickets.
In the ninth warm-up match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on February 15, two south Asian countries Pakistan and Bangladesh will meet at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. Bangladesh in its first warm-up match on Saturday February 12, beat Canada in a one-sided match by 9 wickets with 184 balls remaining. Pakistan will be playing their first warm-up match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The 11th warm-up match scheduled in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be played between Sri Lanka and West Indies. Both Sri Lanka and West Indies had won their first warm-up match against Netherlands and Kenya respectively. In the just concluded series between these two countries, Sri Lanka won the series of three matches by 2-0. One match was abandoned due to rain.

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Sachin Tendulkar: A flashback

SACHIN TENDULKAR, the pride of the nation debuted at the age of 16 in Karachi against Pakistan. At this young age, he impressed one and all with his great attitude and approach, though he did not manage to score too many runs.

His hard work and dedication towards the game proved that everything is possible, if we have faith in ourselves. The most celebrated cricketer of the modern era has amassed 32,331 international runs and scored 97 centuries, making him the most prolific run-getter in both Test and one-day cricket.

Sachin’s tour of England in 1990 was very special to him, because he scored his first test century at Old Trafford. Tendulkar further enhanced his transformation into world class batsman during the 1991-1992 tour of Australia that included an unbeaten 148 in Sydney. The great Shane Warne too made his debut in the match, where opposing bowler Mery Hughes told captain Allan Border, “This little guy’s going to get more runs than you, AB,”. Mery Hughes' statement became a reality.

Today that ‘Little Guy’ is the heartbeat of millions of people. 2008 was the most memorable year for Sachin Tendulkar as he surpassed Brian Lara’s record for the most runs in Test Cricket in October 2008 by amassing more than 12,000 Test runs. He also holds records for the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals.

Besides from Test and ODI, he is now an icon player in the Mumbai Indians Team of IPL and left his mark in Twenty20 version of cricket too.

Recognition also came through other quarters, Madame Tussauds came out with a wax replica of this legend, he was the first sportsperson whose statue was there.

But the only thing missing in his career is a Cricket World Cup trophy. During his five previous World Cups since 1992, India reached the semifinal at home in 1996 and finished runners-up in 2003 in South Africa.

We all hope this Cricket World Cup will be the best in India’s cricket history and also great and unforgettable achievement of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's career.

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