NRG businessman buys flying car

In 2008, NRG businessman Subhash Shihora's wife and six-month-old son were not allowed to board a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad despite having a valid ticket because of a technical glitch. Shihora, a major stake-holder in the Rs 2 lakh crore Urok consultancy firm in the UK, was so angry he sued the airline for Rs 21 crore. He also wanted to ensure that it never happened again. And he found a way out — Shihora has become the first Indian to buy the world's first commercial flying car called 'Transition' from a company in Massachusetts, US. 

Shihora now wants the car to be parked at his farmhouse off SG Road in Ahmedabad. But he fears getting permission may not be easy. He will need clearances from not just aviation agencies, but security agencies as well and has already started talking to officials. 

"I fly down to Ahmedabad at least six times a year and then fly to Mumbai and Rajkot. I had taken a test drive of the flying car. By pressing just one button, the car turns into an aircraft. I have started taking flying lessons to get the licence," says Shihora. He booked the car in 2009 and will get delivery in 2012. Shihora, who moved to UK in 1998, booked it for Rs 1 crore and will pay another Rs 1 crore by the time it is delivered. "With all taxes and duties paid, the car will cost me around Rs 6 crore in Ahmedabad." 

The car, designed with foldable wings, successfully completed its first flight on March 5, 2009 and recently got clearance from the US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. The two-seater vehicle falls in the light aircraft category and requires a private pilot licence to fly it. The vehicle, which is big enough to fit into a home garage and runs on unleaded petrol, can travel up to 450 miles and can fly at 115 mph. 

Colonel VK Nagar, an aviation industry expert, says, "Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI) may give permission under the micro light aircraft category. But a vehicle that can both be driven on roads and can be taken to the skies from anywhere may create issues with security agencies."

Ganguly wont play

Ganguly wont play the match against MI in IPL season 4. Yuvraj Singh who welcomed Ganguly's inclusion in the squad told the reports that he wont be playing the match against MI. He also added that Ganguly would definitely be an asset to the team. "He's experienced and I will get help in captaining the team," Yuvraj told reporters. 

GANGULY IS BACK IN IPL

DADA is back

Ganguly, the former India captain, has been signed by Pune Warriors as a replacement for Ashish Nehra, who was ruled out for the remainder of the 2011 season with a finger injury. Ganguly's contract is for a period of one year and is an IPL lifeline to the batsman after he went unsold at the player auction in January, where his base price was $400,000.

Ganguly will be vice-captain to Yuvraj Singh and is likely to join the Pune squad ahead of their match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 4.

"He is playing in IPL not for money but to prove a point. Our team think-tank felt that Sourav Ganguly is the best possible option available so we went for him. He has been a fighter and a master of comebacks. We are very much confident that he will prove his worth."

Ganguly played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three seasons of the IPL and led the team in two of them, while Brendon McCullum was captain for the other. Kolkata fared poorly in those years and are the only franchise not to make the semi-finals. Kolkata did not bid for Ganguly in January despite his name coming up for sale twice, as they revamped their squad entirely, and the batsman later refused a mentoring role with the franchise.

Pune Warriors are bottom of the ten-team league at present, having lost six consecutive matches after winning their first two. Ganguly has an average IPL record - 1031 runs at an average of 28 and strike-rate of 110 - and could strengthen an under-performing and short batting order.

iDay in Linköping University

iDay - International Day; is a celebration of culture in Linköping University. In 2005, the first International Day was organized by the Student Union at the Institute of Technology to gather the university's foreign students in a cross-cultural event. It turned out to be a great success and became an annual tradition. Every year, students from USA, Canada, Ghana, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cameroon, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Taiwan, Turkey, Tajikistan, and Ukraine participate in the event and present their culture. Each nationality represents with a stand serving home cooking and cakes. The students distributes valuable information about their home country and culture. As in previous years, iDay was a meeting not only of cultures, but of generations. Many students brought their families and friends to join in the celebration. In iDay 2010, Bangladesh won the 1st place in representing their culture followed by India who bagged the 2nd place. The cultural event(dance) was a great success last year. Indian men secured the 1st place in the dance competition (thanks to the boys for the outstanding performance). iDay 2011 is going to be held at Valla campus on 12th and 13th of May 2011. Its once again a party time for the students of Linköping University. Cheers all!

Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan

 

Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden has been killed by US forces in Pakistan, President Barack Obama has said. Bin Laden was killed in a ground operation outside Islamabad based on US intelligence. Obama said, "after "a firefight", US forces took possession of his body." Bin Laden was accused of being behind a number of terror attacks, including the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001.

He was top of the US "most wanted" list.

Mr Obama said it was "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda".

The US has put its embassies around the world on alert, warning Americans of the possibility of al-Qaeda terror attacks for Bin Laden's killing.

Crowds gathered outside the White House in Washington DC, chanting "USA, USA" after the news emerged.