India’s mobile phone market reaches an important milestone of 1 billion subscribers

The mobile subscriber base in India has crossed a billion mark for the first time, and reached 1003.49 million subscribers. India is second only to China to cross this major milestone in world of mobile phones. However, number of active wireless subscribers was marked to be 902.26 million at end of October 2015.
In the month of October, a total of 6.83 million mobile subscribers were added by the telcos. Out of the 1003.19 million mobile subscribers, 578.11 million were urban subscribers, while 425.38 million were rural subscribers. Wireline subscriber base continued to decline, and dropped to 25.85 million. During the month of October, 2015, 5.11 million subscribers submitted their requests for Mobile Number Portability (MNP).

Operator-wise subscriber base (in millions)

1. Airtel – 237.97
2. Vodafone – 189.47
3. Idea – 167.28
4. Reliance Communications – 111.41
5. Aircel – 84.60
6. BSNL – 80.42
7. TATA – 60.84
8. Telenor – 48.71
9. MTS – 8.26
10. Videocon – 7.84
11. MTNL – 3.60

During the month of October 2015, Bharti Airtel added the maximum number of new subscribers (2.76 million) followed by Vodafone (adding 1.3 million), and Reliance Communication (adding 1 million). Both, BSNL and Idea, added 0.72 million, while Telenor added 0.93 million subscribers in the October of 2015. On the contrary, Tata lost over 1.17 million subscribers during the month.

The overall tele-density in India increased from 80.98 at the end of Sep-15 to 81.44 at the end of Oct-15. While urban tele-density marginally declined from 152.76 at the end of September 2015 to 152.58 by the end of October 2015. The rural tele-density increased from 48.66 at the end of September 2015 to 49.37 by the end of October 2015.

The broadband subscriber base increased from 120.88 million at the end of September 2015 to 125.22 million at the end of October 2015. Out of these 125.22 million broadband subscribers, 108.48 million were wireless broadband users. Bharti Airtel (29.03 million), Vodafone (24.48 million), Idea Cellular(20.28 million), BSNL (19.43 million) and Reliance communications Group (11.47 million) were the top five broadband service providers in the country.

ISIS Ruling Aims To Settle Who Can Have Sex With Female Slaves

 ISIS theologians have issued an extremely detailed ruling on when "owners" of women enslaved by the extremist group can have sex with them, in an apparent bid to curb what they called violations in the treatment of captured females.

The ruling or fatwa has the force of law and appears to go beyond the ISIS's previous known utterances on the subject, a leading ISIS scholar said. It sheds new light on how the group is trying to reinterpret centuries-old teachings to justify the sexual slavery of women in the swaths of Syria and Iraq it controls.

To read the fatwa click here: http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/doc/slaves_fatwa.pdf

The fatwa was among a huge trove of documents captured by US Special Operations Forces during a raid targeting a top Islamic State official in Syria in May. Reuters has reviewed some of the documents, which have not been previously published.

Among the religious rulings are bans on a father and son having sex with the same female slave; and the owner of a mother and daughter having sex with both. Joint owners of a female captive are similarly enjoined from intercourse because she is viewed as "part of a joint ownership."

The United Nations and human rights groups have accused the ISIS of the systematic abduction and rape of thousands of women and girls as young as 12, especially members of the Yazidi minority in northern Iraq. Many have been given to fighters as a reward or sold as sex slaves.

Far from trying to conceal the practice, ISIS has boasted about it and established a department of "war spoils" to manage slavery. Reuters reported on the existence of the department on Monday.

In an April report, Human Rights Watch interviewed 20 female escapees who recounted how ISIS  fighters separated young women and girls from men and boys and older women. They were moved "in an organized and methodical fashion to various places in Iraq and Syria." They were then sold or given as gifts and repeatedly raped or subjected to sexual violence.

Dos And Don'ts

Fatwa No. 64, dated Jan. 29, 2015, and issued by ISIS's Committee of Research and Fatwas, appears to codify sexual relations between ISIS fighters and their female captives for the first time, going further than a pamphlet issued by the group in 2014 on how to treat slaves.

The fatwa starts with a question: "Some of the brothers have committed violations in the matter of the treatment of the female slaves. These violations are not permitted by Sharia law because these rules have not been dealt with in ages. Are there any warnings pertaining to this matter?"

It then lists 15 injunctions, which in some instances go into explicit detail. For example:

"If the owner of a female captive, who has a daughter suitable for intercourse, has sexual relations with the latter, he is not permitted to have intercourse with her mother and she is permanently off limits to him. Should he have intercourse with her mother then he is not permitted to have intercourse with her daughter and she is to be off limits to him."

ISIS's sexual exploitation of female captives has been well documented, but a leading ISIS expert at Princeton University, Cole Bunzel, who has reviewed many of the group's writings, said the fatwa went beyond what has previously been published by the militants on how to treat female slaves.

"It reveals the actual concerns of IS slave owners," he said in an email.

Still, he cautioned that not "everything dealt with in the fatwa is indicative of a relevant violation. It doesn't mean father and son were necessarily sharing a girl. They're at least being 'warned' not to. But I bet some of these violations were being committed."

The fatwa also instructs owners of female slaves to "show compassion towards her, be kind to her, not humiliate her, and not assign her work she is unable to perform." An owner should also not sell her to an individual whom he knows will mistreat her.

Professor Abdel Fattah Alawari, dean of Islamic Theology at Al-Azhar University, a 1,000-year-old Egyptian centre for Islamic learning, said ISIS "has nothing to do with Islam" and was deliberately misreading centuries-old verses and sayings that were originally designed to end, rather than encourage, slavery.

"Islam preaches freedom to slaves, not slavery. Slavery was the status quo when Islam came around," he said. "Judaism, Christianity, Greek, Roman, and Persian civilizations all practiced it and took the females of their enemies as sex slaves. So Islam found this abhorrent practice and worked to gradually remove it."

In September 2014 more than 120 Islamic scholars from around the world issued an open letter to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi refuting the group's religious arguments to justify many of its actions. The scholars noted that the "reintroduction of slavery is forbidden in Islam."

Mangaluru-based activist faces online abuse, rape threats, for complaining against Bajrang Dal

A Mangaluru-based activist is being targeted online with abuse and rape threats after she complained against Bajrang Dal activists who allegedly intimidated cinema halls into stopping the screening of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale.

On Monday, Mangaluru North police station registered an FIR against the state convenor of the Bajrang Dal Sharan Pumpwell and others for causing a ‘climate of fear’ among theatre owners and the public. Various sections of the IPC including causing criminal intimidation and criminal trespassing have been invoked.

In the two days since, numerous people targeted activist Vidya Dinker on Facebook with sexually coloured abuse including rape threats and other insults. Vidya says she will file a complaint against the abuse on Thursday.

Bajrang Dal activists in Mangaluru had protested against the screening of the film following Shah Rukh Khan’s comments on intolerance on November 2. They also asked for a ban on the screening of Aamir Khan’s films for the same reasons. 

“I heard a few people, who had booked tickets for Shah Rukh’s Dilwale, complain that when they went to the theatre on Sunday evening theatre owners offered a refund as the movie would not be screened,” Dinker said.

“I was told by a theatre owner that on Sunday right-wing activists came to the theatre asking that the 4 pm to 7 pm screening that was mid-way be stopped. However, the right-wing activists agreed let the ongoing  show get over and cancel screening thereafter,” Dinker said.

Having waited until Tuesday for screenings to resume, the dismayed activist went to speak to the head of a cinema chain at a mall in the city. She said that owners told her that they had been intimidated into giving up screening the film.

“The complete fear that they have managed to instil in everyone means that there is a parallel criminal justice system at work,” she said, adding that she and some others met the police commissioner urging action against such intimidation.

Dinker told The News Minute that the police were reluctant to take the complaint as they claimed that the theatre owners could have voluntarily not screened the film and the police cannot take action.

Vidya said that one franchisee of a multiplex had told her that Bajrang Dal activists had torn the poster on the ground floor of the mall and that they were worried that damage would follow if they went ahead with the screening.

Sharan Pumpwell, state president of Bajrang Dal told The News Minute that the activists only “requested” theatre owners not to screen Shah Rukh Khan’s film and that Dinker’s claims are baseless.

“We did not cause any physical damage as Vidya Dinker claims. The theatre owners themselves respected our sentiments and agreed to stop the screening,” said Pumpwell.

It is an open secret that some influential leaders of Hindutva groups have security contracts in more than one of the three malls in Mangaluru.

“The police also told me that they would take action if the theatre owners complain.  But owners are reluctant as they have long-term survival in mind,” she said.

“When a business is run with fear of these local goons in the back of their mind and when there is no confidence in the police that itself should be reason for the police to take a Suo motu action,” she added.

Arvind Kejriwal Says Rahul Gandhi 'Just a Kid', in Row Over Delhi Slum Demolition

Arvind Kejriwal today called Rahul Gandhi a "kid" in a political war of words over the controversial demolition at a Delhi slum on Saturday, in which a baby died.

The Chief Minister derided Mr Gandhi for blaming Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the demolition at Shakur Basti by the railway police, which reports to the Centre.

"Why is AAP doing dharna? They are in power in Delhi," Mr Gandhi was quoted as saying, in response to AAP lawmakers protesting at Parliament.



The Chief Minister then tweeted in Hindi: "Rahul Gandhi ji is still a kid. His party has perhaps not told him that railway comes under the central government, not Delhi government."

Another AAP leader, Ashutosh, said Mr Gandhi's comments show why the Congress was routed in the national election last year. "Now I know y Congress is reduced to 44?(sic)," he tweeted.

The demolition has provoked a political war with Rahul Gandhi making a high profile visit to the slums today and AAP taking its protests against the Centre to Parliament.

AAP alleges that no warning was given before the demolition, which has left thousands without a home in deepening winter. A six-month-old died allegedly because a heap of clothes fell on her while her family was trying to pack up and hurry out of their home.

The homes were razed allegedly to make way for a railway terminal. Mr Kejriwal visited the area in the early hours of Sunday and said: "Those who did this are not humans, they are beasts. God will not forgive them."

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said in Parliament that several warnings were given to the slum residents. "Such encroachments are the main source of garbage and are a safety hazard," he said.

Micromax to invest Rs 300Cr for 3 manufacturing plants in India

Indian smartphone manufacturer Micromax will invest Rs 300 crore in India over the next few months to set up three new manufacturing units, reportsIBNLive. The new plants will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, and will be operational by next year.

As of now, Micromax claims that it has allotted 20 acres of land in Telangana and 25 acres in Rajasthan for the manufacturing plants. The construction on both these plants will begin soon, while the location for the Andhra Pradesh will be decided soon. Overall, the company aims to have a capacity of 4 million units once these plants are fully functional. It will invest Rs 100 crore in each plant.

Micromax currently has an assembly unit in Rudrapur which produces around 1 million units, accounting for one third of the company’s requirements, with the rest of the units imported from China. The company had started manufacturing at this plant in April last year, where it also manufactures all the tablets sold in the country. Interestingly, Micromax mentions that by 2017, it will start to manufacture batteries and other components in India.

Manufacturing in India: The Indian government has been encouraging domestic companies to start manufacturing electronics goods within the country instead of importing them and had approved a National Policy on Electronics. Since then, various smartphone manufacturers have said they will start manufacturing in India or have already started doing so.

– Last month, Optiemus Infracom, the founder of the domestic mobile brand Zen Mobile, signed a joint venture with Wistron Corporation to set up a mobile manufacturing unit in Noida.

– Various manufacturers have tied up with Foxconn to manufacture phones in India. Earlier this month, Oppo started contract manufacturing in India in partnership with Foxconn while in September, Gionee tied up with Foxconn and Dixon to manufacture its phones in India. In June, the company started making Xiaomi phones in the country.

– The month before, Foxconn was in talks with Adani Enterprises to form a joint venture (JV), likely to make iPhones in India. The company had first reported in June that it could possibly set up base in India to manufacture iPhones, iPads and iPods for Indian and international sales.

– In August, Lenovo started the local production of smartphones with Flextronics under a contract manufacturing deal at its Sriperumbudur plant.

– Videocon Mobile Phones, Videocon Group’s mobile company, started manufacturing mobile phones in the country.

– In June, homegrown mobile phone maker Celkon opened its first manufacturing unit in the country in Telangana.

– In March, Samsung and Sony had announced plans for setting up manufacturing bases in India as a part of the Make in India initiative.

– Earlier this year, Spice Group said it would invest Rs 500 crores to set up a manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh.

Chennai Floods: The worst might be over, but keep diseases at bay with these health tips

People have been wading through water over several days, so the number of water-borne, vector-borne, person-to-person communicable diseases are those that the state government, NGOs and volunteers working in the field need to worry about.

• People wading through waterlogged areas during the flood

Throughout history, disasters, both natural and man-made, have a strong relationship with disease outbreaks. This is often related to the displacement of people and has been known since the age of Pericles and the plague of Athens in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian wars. This has played out again and again since then, including in major wars, but this association is now seen commonly after natural disasters like floods, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, drought and earthquakes.

The disaster in Tamil Nadu due to the recent rains and floods is already seeing an outbreak of various diseases. The risk and magnitude of any outbreak can be assessed based on the diseases that are pre-existent in the community, the existing infrastructure, nutrition and health status, ability to restore safe water and drainage and availability of health care. Given that Chennai and other parts have seen tremendous waterlogging and people have been wading through water over several days, the number of water-borne, vector-borne, person-to-person communicable diseases and those related to the disaster, are those that the state government, NGOs and volunteers working in the field need to worry about.

Types of diseases likely to surface

Firstly, water-borne diseases that are likely to surface in Chennai now include viral gastro enteritis, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, leptospirosis among others. If people remember, there was a spike in cases of leptospirosis in Mumbai after the 2005 floods. Waterborne diseases can be mitigated here by ensuring that the water is drained out as quickly as possible in the city and safe drinking water is provided on a war footing.

Secondly, vector-borne diseases that are likely to emerge include dengue and malaria. Others like West Nile virus are also possible. These are primarily mosquito-borne, so stagnant water is a perfect breeding ground. Draining inundated areas in Chennai is key to control and moving people out of such areas is also helpful.

Lastly, person-to-person communicable diseases are usually related to overcrowding in close quarters. Diseases like influenza and upper respiratory infections tend to spread faster this way. This was, in fact, the leading cause of death in those displaced by the 2004 tsunami in Aceh and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Measles outbreaks have also been documented in these conditions. In Chennai, there are reports of chicken pox outbreak in a relief camp. This also needs to be addressed quickly.

Other diseases are related to the disaster itself, and this includes tetanus, skin problems, including allergies and fungal infections. There have been rumours about dead bodies and the risk of transmission of diseases - these are overhyped, and there is yet to be any documented outbreak in the setting of the floods.

Prevention and tips on health safety

Prevention and mitigation of these diseases, in Chennai, Cuddalore and other areas, needs a multi-pronged strategy. Obviously, drainage of the water and establishment of safe water and food services is key. People should not remain marooned, but staying too long in relief camps puts them at risk for other problems. The earlier the situation improves and the earlier that people can return home, the safer it is from the infection point of view. People should avoid wading in water, if feasible.

Safe water can be achieved by boiling water for a full minute. If there is visible contamination, bleach (1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon to a gallon or 16 cups of water) can be useful. Reverse osmosis systems are also an option. Food safety is key, and the role of food handlers in the propagation of diseases is often forgotten. Aid workers should stay away if sick, and should wear gloves when handling food. Vaccination against tetanus, typhoid and influenza seems prudent. Mosquito prevention measures are useful, but these need to be used through the day.

Don’t medicate unnecessarily

At this point, abuse of medications, especially antibiotics, is a problem. Most patients do not need any. Establishment of appropriate primary care system with doctors trained in disaster-related disease management will go a long way in containing the situation. Studies have suggested that a single dose of doxycycline may be an option in reducing the risk of leptospirosis in those wading through water. It is only required for those with infections like typhoid. In general, the alarm symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:

1. Diarrhoea/vomiting and not passing urine

2. Fever with shaking chills

3. Jaundice

4. Fever lasting more than 3 days

5. Breathing difficulty and shortness of breath

6. Illness in people whose immune system is not normal- like kidney failure, transplant

Dr Subramanian Swaminathan is MD AB Infectious Diseases, Consultant, Global Hospital

Chennai rains: Narendra Modi mocked and Jayalalithaa heckled after Chennai floods

Yet, within hours, Modi became the object of mockery on social media after his press office released a doctored photo of him inspecting flood damage. For both him and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the image of strong leadership created by their publicity machines was undermined.

• 

One of India's most powerful politicians, a former movie star called "Amma" or "Mother" by her followers, is being heckled and abused for going missing in action after floods swept the capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which she rules.

It's a salutary lesson for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who at first drew nods of approval when he rushed to Chennai last week, promising to stand by its people in their hour of need.

Yet, within hours, Modi became the object of mockery on social media after his press office released a doctored photo of him inspecting flood damage. For both him and Tamil NaduChief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the image of strong leadership created by their publicity machines was undermined.

Until the floods that ravaged the city of 6 million, the lofty remoteness of Jayalalithaaadded to the aura around a leader with an almost hysterical following. Devotees of the 1960s screen idol have immolated themselves in her defence in the past.

Now, she faces a backlash from residents fed up with the sight of her image on billboards, aid packets and her own Jaya Plus TV channel. She has been since in public only twice during the crisis - once with Modi.

Angry youths heckled a state minister and officials in Jayalalithaa's north Chennai constituency, where people were sitting on the roadside amid sludge and mountains of garbage, their shanties swept away by the worst rains in a century.

"Forget about Amma coming here, there was no sign of the party cadres," said one of them, called Dorairaj.

About 280 people have died across Tamil Nadu since torrential rains on Dec. 1 submerged tracts of Chennai under up to eight feet (2.5 metres) of water, trapping people on rooftops with no communication.

There was further revulsion after a party legislator put up a poster of Jayalalithaa lifting a baby above the floodwaters, in a scene from a blockbuster movie. "Adding salt to the wounds," said one Twitter post.

Avadi Kumar, a spokesman of her ruling AIADMK party, said there was anger among the people but the administration was doing all it could to bring relief: "It is impossible to reach all areas immediately or be present everywhere at all times."

GOOD DAYS 

Modi's own promise to voters of good days to come for India is also starting to face disenchantment, 18 months into his five-year term, with key reforms stalled by bureaucratic inertia and political gridlock.

Ambitious initiatives, such as a "Clean India" campaign, have made little headway - even as Modi has built up huge followings on social media and addressed enthusiastic diaspora Indians at packed stadiums on his many trips overseas.

"If today he appears to have lost control over his own narrative, it is his own fault," commentator Tavleen Singh wrote in Sunday's Indian Express, urging Modi to hire a professional media team. Modi does not have an official spokesperson.

Jayalalithaa, 67, in the past considered as a possible prime ministerial candidate backed by regional groups, faces an election in Tamil Nadu next year.

Modi's nationalist party has little presence in Tamil Nadu, a state of 70 million. It would rather the iron-fisted Jayalalithaa stays in power, believing she is more inclined to back his reform agenda in parliament than her rivals.

But there are concerns around her health and that she may have to curtail her campaign.

Earlier this year a higher court acquitted her in a graft case for which was briefly jailed which had caused an outpouring of anger from her supporters. Some lay down on roads and tried to persuade bus drivers to go over them.

"She is supposed to be a fantastic administrator. But this time there was no presence of government at all. Ordinary people did all the work that government and police were supposed to do," said S. Raja, one flood-hit resident of Chennai.

Chennai floods: Brand Amma could take a severe beating for inefficiency

• 

When Jayalalithaa was voted into power as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the expectations from here were high. People felt that she could undo all the wrongs done by the previous government focus on the people of the state. And she did. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu did everything from setting up Amma Canteens, Amma Water, Amma Cement to launching a state health scheme that provided plenty of free benefits for women and children.

But what happened during the rains and ensuing floods that hit Chennai and many parts of Tamil Nadu – especially over the week - is a completely different story. The state machinery that should have kicked into action immediately on December 2 in rescuing and providing relief to people seems to have gone missing in action.

TASMAC​ open despite the rains
While it was pouring incessantly with houses and buildings being submerged in three to five feet of water, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation liquor shops were fully functional. In fact, they even functioned under candlelight when power was out. Many of the inebriated men were found to be harassing women. Citizens were heard complaining about how this seemed to be the one state department that seemed to functioning extremely efficiently during this horrific time in the city. Many people have requested that the TASMAC shops be shut for a few weeks till the city returns to normalcy.

Amma stickers on relief items
While thousands of people were trying to get one meal a day and struggling to rebuild their lives, many men who were allegedly AIADMK volunteers were busy sticking Amma posters on relief supplies that were being distributed - not by the state - but by ordinary citizens. People on Twitter alleged that trucks carrying relief supplies were being allowed to pass through to areas only if the items had Amma posters on them. The efforts of good samaritans were seen to be hijacked by partymen who had nothing to do with the massive relief efforts undertaken by the public. There was outrage on social media and even on the ground by people over this act​.

Citizens perform relief and rescue operations
Citizens of Chennai came together and mobilised relief and rescue efforts. Today, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp are filled with groups who are diligently working 24X7 mobilising relief supplies and teams to distribute them. Volunteers have come out in thousands to help Chennai and Cuddalore. People in other states are collecting relief materials and sending them by the truckloads. The big question being asked where are the partymen to help people and where is the state machinery on the ground? A state minister and partymen who visited parts of North Chennai were heckled when they finally did turn up to see the ravaged area.

In lieu of all this, Brand Amma could take a severe beating and have an impact on the impending elections in 2016.

India’s Nexus Venture Partners Announces New $450M Fund

Nexus Venture Partners — the top-tier Indian VC firm which counts Snapdeal, Etsy-like Craftsvilla and medtech startup Lybrate in its portfolio — has reloaded for more deals after it announced its newest $450 million fund.

The fund, which is the nine-year-old firm’s fourth to date, takes it to over one billion in capital under management — becoming the first Indian VC to reach that milestone. Nexus, which has invested in more than 60 companies to date, said the capital will be used for seed and early stage deals once again. In particular, the firm is looking closely at retail, financial services, health and education in the consumer space, in addition to promising companies in the enterprise space.

Nexus’ previous fund — its third — closed at $270 million in 2012, but now it has ramped up in line with increased interest and activity in India’s startup space.

“We are thankful to our investors that continue to back us and believe in our investment philosophy,” Naren Gupta, cofounder and managing director of the firm said in a statement. “Most significantly, the Nexus team is fortunate to have exceptional entrepreneurs partner with us on their journey to build market leading companies.”

Other firms to raise new funds this year include Helion Ventures, Accel, and Qualcomm. New York-based Tiger Global, the hedge fund that has been among the most active investors in India, closed $2.5 billion in new capital last week, while Japan’s SoftBank has pledged to spend more than $10 billion on deals with India-based startups.Sequoia, SAIF and Lightbox are among other well-funded and active VC firms in India.

Nestle supplies Maggi noodles to rain-hit Chennai

After remaining at loggerheads with the government over ban on Maggi noodles, Nestle India was on Sunday listed among the top suppliers of food and beverage products for people affected by heavy rains in Chennai.

Among other products, Nestle has also supplied the 'two-minute' Maggi noodles to the Tamil Nadu government towards the relief operations.

In a statement, Minister for Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the industry should ensure that there is no shortage of milk, packaged food articles and bottled water for the people of Chennai.

"It is time to stand up and make exemplary contribution for the flood affected people of Chennai who have been patronizing food brands and products manufactured by the industry," she said.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries said it is coordinating with all food processing companies for supply of packaged milk, packaged food and bottled water and also listed out names of eight companies who have made available supplies of food and beverage products to the Tamil Nadu Government at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

The list of seven such companies included Nestle India on the top with supplies of 10 MT of noodles, 5000 litres of tetra packed milk and 50000 pouches of coffee.

"Further additional quantity approximately 25-30 MT of noodles, about 8 MT Munch and Sunrise Biscuits 800 Kgs is also being supplied," the Ministry statement said.

Nestle's Maggi noodles were banned by the central food regulator FSSAI and various state food departments over alleged presence of lead and taste enhancer MSG beyond permissible limits, but the ban was later lifted after orders from the courts. The product was recently relaunched.

Besides, ITC has supplied 6 truckloads consisting of 3163 boxes of biscuits. MTR has supplied about 14128 ready-to-eat food packets and another quantity of 35000 ready-to-eat food packets will be delivered by Monday.

Britannia has supplied 3 truckload of 345 boxes of biscuits today and remaining 2 truckloads of food items. They have also been requested to supply additional quantity of milk produce and some bread.

Coca Cola India has supplied ready with 50000 one liter water bottles, while Pepisco has supplied 12000 one liter water bottles and arranging transport to supply today.

Parle is arranging to send 3 truckload of Parle biscuits, it added. 

Unhappy customer sues Apple after honeymoon photos are wiped from phone

A British man is celebrating a victory for the "common man" after successfully suing Apple for accidentally wiping treasured photos from his phone.

Deric White said he was devastated after his honeymoon photos and 15 years of contacts were lost from his iPhone.

He was awarded almost £2,000 after winning the case [£1,200 compensation and £773 in court costs] after a judge ruled Apple had been "negligent".

Deric White took his phone to an Apple store  Photo: REUTERS

The 68-year-old took his phone to Apple’s flagship store in Regent Street in December 2014 after receiving a text message about a fault on the device.

He said staff fixed the problem but also wiped all of his content from the phone - only afterwards asking him if it had been backed up.

The retired property developer, who had just beaten cancer when the incident happened, said he was determined to have his day in court.

Apple were ordered to pay compensation  Photo: AP

"I would not let it go," he told the Evening Standard. "Having fought cancer, I was not going to get defeated by Apple.

"My wife was reduced to tears when they wiped the phone. Everyone tells me this has happened to them or their mate.

"I did this for the common man. I would say to anyone who has got a gripe with Apple - don’t let them boss you about and ignore it."

Mr White told the court he had "his life was saved on the phone", adding that he had lost his favourite honeymoon video of a giant tortoise biting him on the hand.

In court papers Apple’s lawyers said: "The claimant has not demonstrated how he suffered any loss."

Privacy Advocates Celebrate The End Of The NSA’s Phone Record Collection Program

The NSA shut down its bulk phone record collection program yesterday, more than two years since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden exposed the program to journalists and prompted a global debate about surveillance technology.

The program has been marked to sunset since Congress passed the USA Freedom Actearlier this year. But in light of the terror attacks that rocked Paris earlier this month, many hawkish lawmakers have attempted to hold off on shutting it down.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced on Sunday that the program shut down as scheduled.

As the program came to a halt, privacy advocates took a victory lap on Monday. Here are those hot takes.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote:

“This program’s very existence was concealed from the American public for over a decade.  Across two administrations, senior officials from US intelligence agencies and the Justice Department repeatedly made false and misleading statements that concealed the truth about what they were doing.  These officials relied on a secret body of law to justify the mass surveillance of the American people. Fortunately, in America sooner or later the truth always comes out.  When Americans found out about this secret, unconstitutional surveillance two years ago, they were rightfully outraged.  And they made their voices heard.  The result was historic reform legislation that required the government to shut this program down.”

Senator Mike Lee said:

“Today both the safety and Constitutional rights of American citizens are more secure thanks to the USA Freedom Act. Not only did the USA Freedom Act strengthen the Fourth Amendment rights of all Americans by ending the bulk collection of personal data, but it also better ensured national security by closing a loophole that prevented the government from tracking foreign terrorists once they entered the United States.”

Members of the House of Representatives also reiterated their support of the law. Bob Goodlatte, John Conyers, Jim Sensenbrenner and Jerrold Nadler issued the following statement:

“The implementation of the USA Freedom Act represents government at its best: it is the product of a robust public debate and intense bipartisan negotiations dedicated to finding a way to protect our Constitutional rights while enhancing the safety of our country. The bipartisan law ends the bulk collection of telephone metadata once and for all, enhances civil liberties protections, increases transparency for both American businesses and the government, and provides national security officials targeted tools to keep America safe.”

The implementation of the Freedom Act highlights that in a government marked by gridlock, there have been many major policy decisions that impact the tech industry from Washington this year. After little happened for the industry last year, 2015 brought significant reforms to the government surveillance and made net neutrality the law of the land.

When Rahul Gandhi Didn't Quite Get the Audience Reaction He Wanted

Rahul Gandhi's potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet "Swachh Bharat" and "Make in India" campaigns appeared to misfire today as he addressed students at a college in Bengaluru.

During a Q and A at the prestigious Mount Carmel College for women, Mr Gandhi spoke on a range of subjects with a common idea, that the "suit-boot" government was failing on all fronts.

Warming up to his theme of "all talk and no direction", Mr Gandhi said: "With the Modi government, I don't see a clear direction, I hear a lot of talk. Are we serious? Clean your country is a strategic national government programme? Well it's not working, is it?"


If he hoped for a loud, resounding "no", he did not get one. His surprise was visible when he heard: "It is!"

Stumped, the Congress leader pressed: "You see it working?" Again, he got a louder "Yes" than "No".

He recovered and said: "Ok I don't see Swachh Bharat working very well."

Mr Gandhi then tried another question. "You think Make in India is working?" This time, he got a mix of ayes and nays. "You think youngsters in India are getting jobs?" he asked.

He finally stopped asking. "I don't see a vision that the BJP is projecting. So for the Congress...we have to come up with a potential vision for the people of India," he said.

Targeting PM Modi, the Congress leader said: "Only one man decides everything in this government. I don't believe that only one man has the solution to India's problems."

To a question on the youth opting for the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP rather than the Congress, Mr Gandhi admitted: "In 10 years, there was some fatigue with the Congress. There were some things we did wrong...and we lost the elections. We need to give a new face and image to the Congress."

Taiwanese Wistron enters into mobile manufacturing joint venture with Optiemus

Wistron Corporation, the world’s second largest contract manufacturer after Foxconn, has entered into a joint venture with Indian retailer and handset distributor, Optiemus Infracom to set up manufacturing facilities for telecom products in India.

Over the next five years, the partners will strategically invest around $ 200 million in best in class infrastructure, technologies and processes, to cater to growing Indian and global demands of telecom products like smart phones, tablets and smart devices.

The JV targets to create over 15,000 employment opportunities in India, over the next five years. Under the JV, the companies will kick off production of HTC smartphones, starting April 2016. Media reports suggest that Wistron’s global players may also leverage the Indian facility for domestic manufacturing.

“With this partnership, we are committed to make available world class technology products at affordable prices for global and local brands. Embarking on this new journey, we intend to emerge as one of the top three third party manufacturers in the country in the next five years,” Ravinder Zutshi, Managing Director, Optiemus Infracom, said in a statement.

The partnership aims to provide a complete end to end solution to global and Indian brands encompassing world class manufacturing infrastructure, distribution, retail and after sales.

“Our collective expertise in design, manufacturing, distribution, retail and after sales services will provide a holistic solution for brands in India,” Zutshi added.

By 2017, India is expected to overtake USA to be the second largest smartphone market globally, as per research firm IDC. The market is expected to continue to grow in double-digits over the next few years as more and more people switch to smartphones and gradually upgrade to 4G-enabled phones.

“We are excited to enter the world’s fastest growing smartphone market with our partner, Optiemus Infracom Limited. With our extensive expertise in the global ICT sector and our partner’s unique local market understanding, we plan to significantly grow and nurture the Indian technology market,” Robert Hwang, President & COO, Wistron Corporation, said in a joint statement.

Voter Is Tinder For Politics

As we approach election season the average person is probably confused by the plethora of candidates. Should you vote Trump? Hillary? Dr. Fantasmus the Libertarian Cyborg? Voter can probably tell you.

This app is basically a swipe left/swipe right interface for political leanings. It asks you questions about policy and then recommends a candidate based on who you should vote for. Do you support gun control? Dance classes in public schools? There’s probably a candidate for you.

Ultimately, said founder Hunter Scarborough, the system will allow users to submit their own votes to aggregated polls, a feature that will allow for more interesting and precise information for voters and politicians.

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The service has 24,000 users and the company is raising capital.

“The platform we developed only recently became possible. Thanks to new open data initiatives, we now have access to up-to-the-minute political data,” said Scarborough. “This allows us to take an unbiased numbers-based approach that other political tools lack. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, we hold politicians accountable to their actions, analyzing candidates’ voting records, public agenda, personal views, speeches, and more.”

Voter is aimed at millennials who are political active. It’s basically a way to get up to speed on various candidates in a few seconds, a valuable proposition in this era of always-on news.

“Voter gives you a fast and fun way to become reliably politically informed,” said Scarborough. Sadly swiping left or right on a particular candidate doesn’t get you a date with them, although Trogdor the Undestroyable, mayoral candidate for the Darkest Core of Deathton (near Scranton) might be a cool dude to hang out with over a beer.