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Ratan Tata would be india's Obama :FORBES

Who could be India's Obama who could unite the country and march the nation forward at a traumatic time?

US business magazine Forbes feels it is industry captain Ratan Tata.

"While it (India) has the sympathy of the world (after the recent attacks), India could have an Obama moment -- one in which a leader, whose personal history epitomises the country's principles, marches forward to unite the country during its very moment of trauma. India has a chance now to get it right, but it needs a strong, credible leader to step up," Forbes said in a report.

"As an American, I don't get a vote in India, but if I did, mine would go to Ratan Tata," added the report written by Forbes magazine' Senior Editor (Asia) Robyn Meredith.

"He is not a politician, but he is the country's most respected business leader. His Tata Group owns the Taj hotel that was just attacked, but his family is just as connected to India's proud history as its shell-shocked present," Meredith wrote in a weekly column published online.

Posing the question whether should there be not a way to involve Tata at the highest level in the government, the report noted that "a fractured India" would immensely benefit from his acumen and constructive patriotism.

Meredith pointed out, "Should there not be a way to involve him in government at the highest level? A fractured India would benefit immeasurably from his acumen, his managerial skills, and his very obvious--but always constructive--patriotism."

Wondering what if the nation leapfrogged America's approach, the magazine pointed out that the political leap could be as successful as the country's technology jump.

"In a few short years, technology allowed India to go from a land with a 10-year-wait for a telephone to one where even farmers carry cell phones. India could make a political leap that is as successful as its technology jump," Forbes said.

Taj Hotel, the prime target of Mumbai terror attacks was the dream realised by Jamsetji Tata. It came up on the city's water front, after a British-owned hotel denied Jamsetji Tata entry, just because "he was not white".

Writing on the hotel, which was built much before the 'Gateway of India' came into existence, the report said, "It opened just over a century ago and was the first Indian-owned luxury hotel. That is why the attack on that hotel resonates so strongly: The Taj hotel was a symbol of all that post-colonial India could become -- successful, honourable, dignified, strong and admired the world over."

Noting that India is at the crossroads, the magazine said that the nation can "turn to past enemies, to yesterday's memories, or it can look to the future and new hopes that could unite the nation's Hindus and Muslims."

Pakistan a peaceful neighbour ?????? what nonsense..

I just happened to be seeing youtube when i found this shocking video of a pakistani news channel..If you thought our politicians were the most corrupt , irresponible and had no feelings then you must watch this video...The lady in the video is not only defending pakistan(any countrymen would do that but to this extent just shows her stupidity) ..The best part is that she says pakistan is a peaceful neighbour..Oh my god if pakistan is peaceful then why the hell are the camps still running in POK...The day US stops funding them they will be finished..just bomb those camps and put sanctions otherwise these people will be getting away everytime.What right do they have to tell that our indian army is incapable having lost to us 3 times already...Do watch it and post your comments

The Singhsons :D

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Google Earth used by terrorists

Slowly but surely pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of the conspiracy behind Mumbai terror attacks are falling into place.

In a first in terror strikes in the country, all the 10 terrorists involved in the Mumbai attack got familiar with the terrain of the city by using the Google Earth service, according to sources in the Maharashtra home ministry.

The 10 terrorists left Karachi in a boat around one week back. After arriving on the Indian coast near Porbandar in Gujarat, they raised white flag on their boat and anchored it outside Porbandar.

The occupants of a fishing trawler in the area saw the white flag and decided to approach the boat to find out whether the men needed any help.

But as they approached the boat, two or three terrorists, in the garb of asking for help, entered the trawler and killed three of its four-member crew. Then the terrorists shifted their arms, ammunition and other equipment to the fishing trawler and forced the remaining member of the crew to sail the trawler in Mumbai's direction.

After coming within four nautical miles of Mumbai, they killed the lone crew member and shifted their arms and ammunition to two dingy boats and landed on the coast near Koliwada. The abandoned fishing trawler � Kuber - was subsequently ceased by the Coast Guard.

From the communication intercept made by intelligence agencies during the operation, satellite phone records recovered from Kuber and revelations made by arrested terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasam (21), a resident of the Faridkot district in Punjab province of Pakistan, it is clear that these terrorists have a Pakistani connection.

"However, we have to ascertain whether their operation had any sanction from the Pakistani establishment, what was the involvement of the ISI, which group of Islamic militants these terrorists belonged to, and whether underworld don Dawood Ibrahim financed this attack," the sources said.

They added that for carrying out such an operation, one needed to go for a rigorous commando training of two years. "The skills shown by these terrorists were almost comparable to that of the NSG," a source said, adding, "Such kind of training can only be provided by a body like the ISI."

Kasam, along with Abu Ismaili Khan, was involved in the attack on the CST station, where almost 50 people died. Abu got killed in the encounter with the police at Marine Drive.

All the terrorists were in the age group of 19-21 and they were carrying the ID cards showing them as the students of different colleges in various cities across the country.

So far, the police have recovered 10 AK-56 rifles, automatic pistols, unspecified numbers of hand grenades and two bombs with 8 kg of explosives. Besides, Rs 6,200 in Indian currency was recovered from the terrorists.

"Cowards can't run cricket, I'll return to India"

Most of his teammates may have developed cold feet but England captain Kevin Pietersen said he would return to India for the Test series, provided security adviser Reg Dickason okays the tour.

Back in the comfort of his family, Pietersen said he could not sleep since terror struck Mumbai but asserted terrorism should not be allowed to play spoilsport.

"We can't allow these cowards to run our game," Pietersen wrote in Sunday's News of the World.

"It puts it all into perspective when you see blood on the streets. But if Reg gives us the OK, then I'll be back for the two Test matches and complete the tour.

"He has been around the block and I trust his judgement 100 per cent. If he says it is safe to go back to India for the First Test in 11 days, then you can count me in," added the England captain.

Pietersen, however, made it clear that he would not force any teammate to join the touring party.

"It is a brutal situation and a world tragedy. So if any of the lads decide they don't want to return, then that's fine with me they have got wives and kids to think about," he said.

Horrified by what he saw on television, Pietersen said it was a close shave for the English cricketers.

"We were on the team bus coming back from Cuttack when we heard news of the horrific slaughter of innocent people in Mumbai.

"We were 800 miles from the attack but suddenly we felt very vulnerable, especially as we had stayed at the targeted Taj Mahal Hotel just two weeks ago," he said.

We were due to go back there for the Second Test all our whites and blazers for the Test matches are still in there somewhere.

"I will never forget it. I was walking down those steps only days ago to have a quick drink with a mate on his boat now they are the scene of a tragedy," Pietersen said.

"It could have been one or all of us being carried out in a body bag. And when you see something like that you sense danger around every corner," he added.

"And when you hear that the terrorists are singling out English tourists it sends a shiver down your spine. In cricket-mad India who could be more high profile than the England team?

"And who could be more high profile than their captain? It makes my blood run cold," Pietersen said.

The South African-born cricketer said as England captain, he was ready to face any opposition but certainly not terrorists.

"You don't expect to have to deal with tragedies like this when you take on the captaincy...Field placing, bowling changes, declarations and bad light you expect not cold-blooded murder," he said.

Emotionally drained by the episode, Pietersen plans to attend Sunday's Chelsea vs Arsenal match to take his mind off the incident.

"Before we decide what we are going to do I'm going to take time out to go to Stamford Bridge to cheer on my mate Frank Lampard. I need something to take my mind off his carnage," Pietersen said.