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Last week, even if Maoists had killed over 2000 and left them on any main street in New Delhi including in front of Parliament House or if T Rajendhar had won both the Oscars and the Grammy for lifetime achievement or if Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden were revealed to be gay partners, we would not have had even a clue about them from the various sections of the Indian media. You know they (the media) had no time for them as they were fully immersed in giving us the most inside of info and up-close details on the IPL shenanigans.

The coverage of the IPL has been so comprehensive that even a man in the street can tell you now with authority as to what brand of inner-wear Lalit Modi sport inside his bespoke suits or whether Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor use…well, forget it, this is getting too intimate.
The point is we are all so well fed on the IPL that we know everything about it, except the part that is shady —- that is to say all parts of it. The round-the-clock frenzy on television over the murky sideshow in the IPL must go down in history as those moments that were accompanied by round-the-clock frenzy. Beyond this, nothing is clear.

Here is what happened on three main English news channels. What you are going to read may sound silly and stupid. But understand, satire has its limitations. The reality was far worse.

Times Now


Arnab Goswami: We can now confirm to the viewers that this channel is the first one to break the news this afternoon after breaking news in the morning and also breaking news last night in the continuing saga of rapidly unfolding events of fast breaking news for the benefit of viewers of this channel.
We now have on the phone line our chief political editor who has been constantly tracking all that is happening on the cricketing arena for the last 20 years or so (To the correspondent on the phone line) Okay, tell us what breaking news do you have for the viewers of this channel that has been breaking news in breaking news?
Correspondent: Arnab, our sources in the Home Ministry, which has been probing cricket events, have just confirmed to us to that the latest developments that we have been breaking to the viewers of this channel are indeed confirmed. We can also tell the viewers of this channel that we break only confirmed news. Back to you, Arnab
Arnab Goswami: Indeed it is a very damning piece of information. It has been a momentous period and the time has come to ask the question that every cricket fan in every corner of this country who has been watching this channel is dying to ask in the light of what has been unfolding before us in the last week ever since we first reported the first-ever reported ….. and as I am speaking to you, we have more breaking news coming in from our chief cricket correspondent who has been keeping track of politics for the last 20 years…

CNN IBN

Rajdeep Sardesai: As the clamour for the nationalisation of the IPL gets louder and louder, CNN-IBN has learnt from extremely reliable sources in the External Affairs Ministry, which takes care of cricket played across the globe, that the government has decided to completely internationalise the IPL and bring it under the ambit of the UN. For the latest on this development, we are joined in by our sports editor who is in charge of foreign affairs.
Correspondent: Rajdeep, indeed sources close to the development aver that the government has moved close to the idea of internationalising the IPL in the face of mounting concerns in Parliament. With heavyweights like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who are neither allies nor rivals but wouldn’t mind if Ministerial posts are offered to them, making it clear that they want to do something to the IPL including banning it, the government has veered down to the view of internationalising cricket and pushing it to the UN.
Rajdeep: To get a true perspective on this new turn, we have now with us, okay he never gets anywhere out of the studio, Suhel Seth, who is an expert in being an expert on all matters whenever a mike is proferred near him.
Suhel Seth: This is backdoor cronyism. The government seems to have bowed to the pressures of the lobby that wanted the IPL banned.
Rajdeep: How does IPL being taken to the UN amount to it being banned?
Suhel: (Shaking his head and dishevelling his already dishevelled hair further), Rajdeep, who heads the UN? It’s Ban. So taking IPL to UN is prima facie, not to speak ipso facto, banning it.
Anyway, the way out of this mess is more clarity. The need of the hour is transparency, especially since Shilpa Shety and Priety Zinta are involved in this. As far as Sunanda Pushkar goes, let Shashi Tharoor bother about transparency. But any way, her case is a see-through.

NDTV

Barkha Dutt: According to reports just in, the Congress has made it clear that the IPL mess has to be cleaned at the earliest. In fact Congress sources are telling us that Sonia is discontented with the developments that has brought disrepute to the game and also seen several thousand crores of rupees flow to the NCP. It is also learnt that Rahul Gandhi is unhappy with the state of affairs. (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for his part, continued to maintain a facial expression that means to mirror Sonia’s anguish. Of course, Barkha did not say this).
We have in our studios, Shashank Manohar, the president of the BCCI, which is supposed to run the affairs of cricket in this country.
Barkha: Mr Manohar, Hasn’t IPL done more harm to cricket than develop it?
Shashank: The game of cricket is…
Barkha (interjecting): So you mean to say cricket is just a game; if so how do you explain the crores and crores of rupees flowing to the game that has caused anguish to Sonia, Rahul, and perhaps others?
Shashank: Money and market forces….
Barkha (interjecting): You are suggesting that the market is forcing things upon your organisation? Are these forces inimical to the nation’s secularism and Sonia Gandhi (and Rahul Gandhi)?
Shashank: Modi is….
Barkha (naturally interjecting): Ok, without needing to put any words into his mouth, Shashank has eloquently stated that Modi’s presence is detrimental to the country’s secular fabric and leather.
(clang, cling, bang …sound of TV screens being smashed to smithereens in many households).

Source: NT

Serious allegations that matches were fixed during the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) add to concerns that Indian cricket is skidding towards an apocalypse now.

Sources confirm to NDTV that 27 cricketers are being investigated for match-fixing during IPL2. In a report submitted to the Finance Ministry, income tax officials discuss allegations of betting involving IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi.

The owners of different IPL teams have expressed their unhappiness with reports of match-fixing; they want clarifications as soon as possible.

The IPL, earlier celebrated as an infusion of cricket, fans, and Bollywood has been passing through its darkest hour, ever since IPL Chairman unloaded on twitter revelations that forced Shashi Tharoor to resign as minister, PUT Modi’s own job on the line, and forced Parliament to confront the very real possibility of senior politicians holding dangerously vested interest in a sport that is bursting at the seams with crores (the Indian cricket board is the richest in the world).

The government has ordered a wide inquiry involving the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate. Among the charges are foreign exchange violations, tax evasions, proxy ownership of different teams, and sweet deals for relatives and friends of politicians and cricket organizers and administrators.

In an interview to NDTV, IPL Governing Council member Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi said that of the many problems that the IPL is riddled with, it’s the prospect of match-fixing that worries him the most

2010 has so far been a very significant year for the Indian automobile sector. India has seen a number of launches by global car manufacturers and world class products coming to India.

The country also saw the incoming of made-for-India cars and production bases shifting to the country. Some Indian manufacturers like Tata grabbed global attention and are on the road to entering into the developed markets. But this is just the tip of the iceberg as there are many more significant events lined up to happen in the year.

Here is a look at all those brand new cars that will soon set Indian roads ablaze.

1   BMW X1

                   German auto giant BMW showcased this beauty at the Delhi Auto Expo and this next generation car has state of the art technology and features and is comparatively low priced.

BMW X1 is expected to be powered by a diesel engine and would fall in the price range of Rs 25-30 lakh (Rs 2.5-3 million).

It is not just the looks of the BMW X1, which in any case are stunning, but this beauty also promises to be a safe car equipped with ABS (Antilock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), dual front airbags and side ITS head airbags, alarm system with remote control and engine immobilizer, front and rear anti roll bars, central locking, child lock, crash sensor, front and rear fog lamps, halogen headlamps, front and rear seat belts with pre-tensioner and belt force limiter, side impact protection and many more features.

2 Tata Aria

                    Tata Aria is a versatile crossover, with features common to premium SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and it is thus bound to make a mark for itself.

It is an eight-seater luxurious MUV (multi-utility vehicle) built on the roadster concept and comes with a 2.2L, DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine.

This is being hailed as the most sophisticated Tata car ever and is expected to be in the price range if Rs 10-15 lakh (Rs 1-1.5 million).

The Tata Aria in India will come with a four-wheel drive option. The Aria was also on display at the recently-concluded 80th Geneva Auto Show. The Aria has a plethora of new and advanced features.

The brakes would be disc type coupled with ABS and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system. The ESP is the first of Tata cars to be offered with.

Aria is likely to handle very well on city roads and also off the road, as it is packed with a number of best-in-class features. Aria’s power steering, efficient braking system with ESP and standard ground clearance ensure hassle free driving.

3 Skoda Yeti

                   With a price tag of approximately around Rs 12-15 lakh (Rs 1.2-1.5 million), the Yeti would be placed between Skoda Fabia and Skoda Octavia.

The Skoda Yeti is an all new compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) and will have both petrol and diesel engine options.

This one is expected to be a great performer. Skoda Yeti would be introducing new engines and new technical solutions. Yeti’s off-road regime that adapts the settings of the electronic systems to driving on rough terrain and movable hooks in the luggage space are going to be a few new features..

Skoda Yeti’s front has a markedly shaped radiator grill surrounded by four headlights, whereas the rear is very basic. The car has compact dimensions and boasts of easy controllability and manoeuvrability. Skoda Yeti’s enhanced mudguards and silver under body protection strips assist while driving in rough terrain.

The glass spaces of the windows on Skoda Yeti stand-out in design and complement the electrically controlled two-part panoramic sunroof and crossways roof rack.

4 Nissan Micra

                  Nissan Motor Company’s first made-in-India car is expected to make its debut with a price tag of about Rs 4-5 lakh (Rs 400,000-500,000).

Nissan Micra will come with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and has been developed on Nissan’s V-platform. Micra was designed and tested in Japan and would be available in 150 countries worldwide. Nissan Micra would have stylish dual tone interiors with dual tone dashboard and an advanced instrument panel.

Micra will also have dual front airbags, ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution) and anti-skid system make up for the car’s safety gear. News is that the Nissan Micra would come in six variants with both petrol and diesel engine option.

5 Maruti Cervo

                  The Maruti Cervo is all set to give competition to the higher models of Tata Nano. It is being speculated that the Maruti Cervo would be priced at Rs 1.5-2 lakh (Rs 150,000-200,000).

The car is a five-door hatchback model and has a spacious passenger cabin. It would come with a 0.7L, 660 cc petrol engine with a claimed fuel economy of 21-22 kmpl.

The braking system in Maruti Cervo will be conventional type that will follow front disc and rear drum brake. We can’t expect ABS system in this price range.

The car will also house newer shock absorbers. The suspensions are responsible for smooth driving which not only increase riding pleasure but safety also.

6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

                Popularly called Evo X, the car would be available in 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed twin clutch transmission.

The price tag is expected to be around Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3 million) and this launch is a part of the revamped strategy from Mitsubishi Motor.

The car’s engine would have turbocharged MIVEC technology that controls valve timing electronically. The top speed of the Indian EVO X is said to be 250 kmph.

7 Toyota Avanza

             Toyota Avanza is to be positioned below the Toyota Innova and is likely to be a sort of mini Innova. The MUV (multi utility vehicle) is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 6-9 lakh (Rs 600,000-900,000).

                                                                          
The Toyota Avanza might have the 1495 cc engine present in Thailand model. This 1.5L petrol engine consists of 4 cylinder, DOHC 16 valve matted with VVTi technology.

8 Maruti Kizashi

           Kizashi is Maruti Suzuki’s first product in the all-wheel-drive sport sedan segment. Kizashi falls in the D segment and is expected to come with a 2.4 AWD engine sporting 18-inch alloy wheels and a 425 Rockford Fosgate audio system with iPod and bluetooth connectivity.

The car is expected to cost around Rs 12 lakh (Rs 1.2 million). Kizashi reached North American showrooms in December last year and so far about 300-400 units have been sold.

Suzuki showcased all four trims of the 2010 Kizashi at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

9 Skoda Roomster

           Skoda Roomster will come as a five-door MUV from the Skoda stable. The MUV is likely to get 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines and 1.4-litre and 1.8-liter diesel engines.

The Skoda Roomster will compete with Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva and Toyota Fortuner and would fall in the price range of Rs 16-18 lakh (Rs 1.6-1.8 million).

10 Toyota Etios

            This is Toyota’s first hatch especially designed for India. The car is suppose to have DOHC 16-valve engine with a 1200cc displacement and is expected to be priced around Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000).

Toyota will be manufacturing the Etios in, both, hatchback and sedan variants. The Etios was at display at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 and evoked a lot of curiosity among onlookers.

The hatch and notchback segments of Etios have a sharp and big smiling grille that has been high-mounted especially for India and give the car a very tough look.

The launch date is not yet confirmed, but as per the speculations in the market Etios is expected to hit the roads by 2010 end

            This is Toyota’s first hatch especially designed for India. The car is suppose to have DOHC 16-valve engine with a 1200cc displacement and is expected to be priced around Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000).

Toyota will be manufacturing the Etios in, both, hatchback and sedan variants. The Etios was at display at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010 and evoked a lot of curiosity among onlookers.

The hatch and notchback segments of Etios have a sharp and big smiling grille that has been high-mounted especially for India and give the car a very tough look.

The launch date is not yet confirmed, but as per the speculations in the market Etios is expected to hit the roads by 2010 end

Jet Airways has introduced attractive packages called Singapore Bonanza and Singapore Extravaganza to woo holidayers under its brand Jetescapes.

These holiday packages to Singapore were available with immediate effect with travel validity until 30 June 2010. Guests may choose between accommodation in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels with individual package prices.

The Singapore Bonanza includes return Economy class fare, three nights and four days stay in applicable hotels, airport transfers, an open bus tour with Singapore flyer to explore Universal Studios in Resorts World, Sentosa, travel insurance and a chance to earn 5 JPMiles on every Rs 100 spent, apart from baggage allowance for extra 10 kg. On the other hand, Singapore Extravaganza would have all the benefits of Bonanza package and would come with features like more sight seeing around the island nation.

According to Jet Airways chief commercial officer Sudheer Raghavan, ‘we are pleased to introduce Jetescape packages created for families with tours to some of Singapore’s popular spots at competitive prices.

We are confident the new packages will be popular with our guests thus complementing our thrice-daily services to Singapore from India.’ Jet Airways flies daily to Singapore from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai respectively.

Both the semifinal matches of ipl 3 will now be played at Dr. DY PATEL cricket stadium in navi mumbai. the semi finals which were scheduled to be held in bangalore have been shifted due to the following developments at the chinnaswamy stadium in bangalore..
Two small bombs exploded outside a Bangalore cricket stadium as fans were heading to an Indian Premier League match on Saturday, injuring 10 people.
The blasts set off panic among the thousands of people streaming into Chinnaswamy Stadium to see the Bangalore Royal Challengers play the Mumbai Indians. The game started an hour late amid increased security.

 Explosion: An ambulance pictured after a bomb blast in Bangalore

Initial investigations show the explosives used in the blasts were locally made and of low intensity, M.R. Poojar, the city’s additional police commissioner told The Associated Press. He said no other details were immediately available.
Earlier, police and local cricket officials said the explosion was the result of an electricity generator blowing up.

 Search: Police and forensic officials inspect the area (above and below) after a bomb exploded outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore