Rupee hits near one-week high, up 16 paise

MUMBAI: Rising for the second day, the rupee today appreciated by 16 paise to close at one-week high of 54.56 against the US dollar on hopes of robust capital inflows in view of a series of PSU share sales starting with RCF tomorrow.
Continued dollar selling by exporters and some banks as also weak dollar overseas ahead of European Central Bank's monthly policy meet late today boosted the rupee, foreign exchange dealers said.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic unit commenced lower at 54.87 a dollar from previous close of 54.72 and immediately touched a low of 54.91 on early hesistency in local stocks.

However, rupee later turned positive on late rally in local stock markets on the back of firm European opening and dollar selling by exporters and some banks to a high of 54.50 before settling at 54.56, a rise of 16 paise or 0.29 per cent.
Yesterday, it had risen by 20 paise or 0.36 per cent. "The rupee was seen appreciating today against the US dollar. The gains were supported by the slight recovery in the Euro. The positive closing in the Indian stock markets also lent support to the rupee. Hopes of dollar inflows in the disinvestment of RCF scheduled tomorrow too supported the rupee," said Abhishek Goenka, Founder and CEO, India Forex Advisors.
The government's 12.15 per cent stake sale in Nalco is likely next week and 10.82 per cent disinvestment in SAIL may take place on March 20. The public offer to sell 12.5 per cent stake in Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilisers (RCF) is scheduled to be launched tomorrow. Besides, stake sale in trading giant MMTC is expected to happen on March 14.
The Indian benchmark S&P BSE Sensex, which was moving in and out of positive terrain by over 60 points, finished higher by 161 points or 0.84 per cent on fag-end buying.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) infused over USD 130 million in Indian stocks today, as per provisional data.
The dollar index was down by around 0.15 per cent against a basket of six major global currencies.
"Globally, the Euro surged against the US dollar after the upbeat economic data of the Euro zone Service PMI and retail sales. The overall sentiment is poised with the speculation that the central banks are set for further monetary easing," he added.
Yesterday, after falling below 55-level in early trade, the rupee washed out early losses to close three paise up at 54.86, snapping a two-session string of losses, on late dollar selling by some exporters and custodian banks.
Meanwhile, the premium for the forward dollar today declined on receipts by exporters.
The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in August finished down at 186-1/2-188 paise from overnight close of 189-191 paise.
Far-forward contracts maturing in February also ended weak at 348-349-1/2 paise from 352-354 paise.
The RBI fixed the reference rate for the US dollar at 54.6520 and for euro at 71.2092.
The rupee fell back sharply against the pound sterling at 83.28 from Monday's close of 82.49 and also reacted downwards against the euro to 71.59 from 71.29.
It also turned negative against the Japanese yen to end at 58.96 per 100 yen from previous close of 58.70.

Salman Khan heading to US for medical check-up

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who had undergone surgery for his nerve disorder Trigeminal Neuralgia last year, is leaving for the US for his medical check up.
Salman's medical check-up has been long overdue but due to his professional commitments, the Dabangg actor had been delaying it. But reports are that Salman will be leavng for the US next week.
Salman, who is currently shooting for Sohail Khan's Mental in Dubai, will return to Mumbai on March 11 before flying out.
The actor was supposed to leave right after the release of Dabangg 2, but the trip got postponed as he was to start shooting for Mental. Later, in January, the trip was yet again postponed due to the court hearings.
Unlike earlier this time Salman's sisters Alvira and Arpita won't be travelling with him but filmmaker and friend Sajid Nadiadwala is likely to accompany the superstar.
Salman Khan also plans to take a break and might extend his stay in the US. Once back, Salman will start shooting back-to-back for Sohail's film, Sajid Nadiadwala's Kick and Anees Bazmee's No Entry Mein Entry.

Wipro-Microsoft launch AssureHealth platform

BANGALORE: Wipro Technologies, the global IT and outsourcing business of Wipro Limited, today announced the launch of the Wipro AssureHealth platform in partnership with Microsoft.
"This is primarily targeted at healthcare providers to deliver innovative solutions for remote fetal monitoring and cardiac care that will ensure high quality treatment at reduced costs, especially for chronic diseases", the Bangalore-headquartered company said in a statement.
The platform leverages Microsoft's cloud, mobility and analytics offerings to allow care providers to monitor patients regularly and precisely, it said.
This is done through hosted services and mobile apps that integrate medical devices, IT Infrastructure and 24/7 customer support, to deliver highly scalable solutions.
"The fetal monitoring service delivers accurate recordings of maternal, fetal heart rate and uterine activity from the expectant mother to the physician over his/her mobile device thereby enhancing the doctors ability to provide enhanced care to patients", Wipro said.
The fetal monitor is a small wearable wireless device that provides beltless monitoring of the mother and the baby in the womb. It accurately records maternal and fetal heart rate, and uterine activity, thereby providing information on fetal and maternal well-being, it was stated.

Rajasthan Royals sign on four new players

Rajasthan Royals have signed up four new players who will represent the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League, commencing in Kolkata on April 3.
Kerala's one-day captain Sachin Baby, wicketkeeper Sanju Viswanath Samson, Jharkhand medium pacer Rahul Shukla and Mumbai left arm spinner Harmeet Singh are all set to join the team's training camp soon to prepare for the sixth edition of the T20 league, said a media release here today.
The Royals will be captained by Rahul Dravid, while Paddy Upton would be their high performance coach.
The 18-year-old Samson, who made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2011 against Vidarbha and hit two centuries this season, was recently appointed vice-captain of the Kerala team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
A budding Under-19 Asia Cup star, Sanson attended Rajasthan Royals' selection trials, which were held on January 27, 28 and 29. Vijay Hazare Trophy captain, Sachin Baby has been a consistent performer for Kerala in the last few years and was among the top run-scorers in the invitational Buchi Babu Tournament and Hazare Trophy.
The 24-year-old left-handed batsman made his first class debut against Andhra in 2009. Since then, Baby has appeared in 14 first class and domestic matches, and has scored 492 runs with a highest score of 104 at an average of 49.20.
Jharkhand's 22-year-old right-arm medium pacer, Rahul Shukla, who made his first class debut in 2009 against Tripura and played 11 matches, was a part of the IPL in the 2010 and 2012 seasons and took seven wickets at 15.71 from four Twenty20 games with an economy rate of 7.17.

Saugata Roy resigns as Mamata’s adviser

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy has resigned as adviser to the West Bengal Government’s Commerce, Industries and IT Ministry over alleged differences with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Yes, Saugata Roy has resigned from the post of adviser to the state government’s commerce, industries and IT department,” a senior TMC leader said on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Roy who was in Delhi could not be contacted.
His resignation came days after he questioned the possibility of setting up large industries in the state.
Mr. Roy had said that the possibility of setting up large industries in the state was very bleak and the future of the state depended on small and medium-scale industries.
Mr. Roy’s comment was interpreted in political circles as criticism of Mamata Banerjee’s land policy, which advocated that the state government would have no role to play in land acquisition for industries in the state.
Mr. Roy’s comments had previously drawn sharp reaction from industries minister Partha Chatterjee who said that the problem was not land, but lack of infrastructure.
Earlier, Mr. Roy had openly slammed the TMC’s student wing for allegedly attacking teachers and principals of schools and colleges

Ekta Kapoor takes acting tips from Bhardwaj

When filmmaker Ekta Kapoor decided to make her acting debut with TV show Ek Thi Naayika, she turned to Vishal Bhardwaj for acting tips.
"Ek Thi Naayika" is a especially designed TV series to promote Ekta and Bhardwaj's co-production venture Ek Thi Daayan, a supernatural thriller that revolves around witches and hits screens April 18.
For the TV show, to be aired on Life OK channel, eight leading ladies from the samll screen - Sakshi Tanwar, Smriti Irani, Mouli Ganguly, Pooja Gor, Aamna Sharif, Kritika Kamra, Shweta Tiwari and Ankita Lokhande - have been roped in.
When Ekta was asked to do a cameo by the cast, she decided to take help from Bhardwaj, who will also be seen facing the camera for the series, said a statement.
Ahead of her acting debut, Ekta said: "Don’t ever expect me to act because I will be bad at it... I don’t mind playing a tree. As long as I don’t have dialogue, I can stand in a scene."
She said her role is "small".
"I will take my cue from Vishal. He will be experienced by then, as he too is making his TV debut in Ek Thi Naayika,” said Ekta

Seven accused in Ponty Chadha shooting case surrender

Seven persons, wanted for their alleged roles in the killings of liquor baron Ponty Chadha and his younger brother Hardeep, surrendered before a Delhi court on Thursday which sent them to police custody for seven days.
The seven accused, who were chargesheeted along with sacked Uttarakhand minorities panel chief SS Namdhari and 13 others for the killings on November 17, last year, appeared before chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) Raj Kumar Tripathi who remanded them in police custody till March 14.
The men, allegedly belonging to Namdhari's group, were Satnam Singh alias Satte, Balkar Singh, Baaj Singh, Pargat Singh, Kulbir Singh, Bakshish Singh and Hardayal Singh. The court had earlier issued non-bailable warrants against them and two others who are still absconding.
The court had on December 28, 2012 ordered the initiation of proceedings under Section 82 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to declare them as absconders.
Seeking custody of the accused, the Delhi Police Crime Branch officials said the accused are to be taken at various places in Uttar Pradesh for recovery of weapons used in the crime.
The police also said they are also to be confronted with the call details and CCTV footage which have been seized during investigation in the case.
Ponty Chadha and Hardeep, who had an alleged property dispute, were killed in a shootout at a Chhattarpur farmhouse in south Delhi.
Besides Namdhari and his personal security officer Sachin Tyagi, the police on February 16 had chargesheeted 20 others including Ponty for the offences ranging from attempt to murder, causing grievous harm, dacoity, rioting with deadly weapons, house trespass, kidnapping and illegally confining occupants of the farm house and destruction of evidence