Pritish Nandy Communications joined hands with DQ Entertainment International

Pritish Nandy Communications joined hands with DQ Entertainment International

Pritish Nandy Communications has joined hands with DQ Entertainment International, one of the world's leading animation, game art and film production companies, to co-develop and co-produce 6 movies in the next 3 to 4 years time within a budget of $45 million. These films will be in animation and live action and each project will be separately announced once the global co-production budgets are closed.

DQ Entertainment, academy award winner and London listed company, is a leading producer of animation and VFX for global TV series, feature films, DTH videos including online, mobile and next-gen console game art and in-game animation. DQE is engaged in global co-production: with world majors including American greetings and marvel comics in the US and method films and moonscoop in France and works with over 80 client-partners worldwide out of its production, creative and business support facilities in India, Philippines, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Paris. DQE has won many award nominations and been recognised for its technological and creative excellence, corporate governance and growth by Red Herring Asia 100, Deloitte Technology Fast50 and Deloitte Fast500 Asia Pacific.

The company made this announcement during the trading hours today, 19 March 2008.

Tata Communications launches Cisco Certified TelePresence connection services globally

Tata Communications announced the launch of its global TelePresence network service which has achieved Cisco Certified TelePresence Connection status. Cisco TelePresence is an innovative realistic virtual meeting solution that creates unique, in-person experiences allowing real-time, face-to-face communication over a converged IP network. It delivers life-size images, ultra-high-definition video (1080p), spatial audio and a specially designed environment to create a room within a room meeting space.

Cisco TelePresence is transforming the way organizations conduct business. Companies can utilize the TelePresence solution to enhance collaboration, to make decisions faster, to improve cross-cultural communications, to scale scarce resources and to move products to market faster. Tate Communications is the first Asian service provider to achieve Cisco Certified TelePresence Connection status enabling the delivery of the Cisco TelePresence solution.

The Cisco certification program for TelePresence services provides businesses with an added level of confidence, that providers such as Tate Communications can deliver the capabilities needed for an optimal TelePresence experience. The Cisco TelePresence certification process goes beyond static service measurement of network performance. It adds leading practices based on current industry standards for network architecture, management and performance including measurement, staff, processes and tools. These are audited regularly to help ensure that service providers are committed and able to offer an optimal Telepresence experience providing customers with robust, end-to-end communication solutions that meet their business needs today and into the future.

The company made this announcement during the trading hours today, 19 March 2008.

L&T to add 4000 MW per annum capacity for super-critical boilers, steam turbine generators

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is all set to ramp up its manufacturing capacity of super-critical boilers and super-critical turbine generators to 4000 mw per annum. The foundation stone for the upgraded facility was laid at Hazira on 19 March 2008 in presence of A M Naik, chairman and managing director, L&T, and Ichiro Fukue, representative director, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

L&T is the only private sector company in India to enter the space of super-critical boilers and steam turbine generators. The company will be manufacturing and marketing these critical components of the large power plant through two separate joint ventures with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan. MHI is a global leader in this business.

L&T holds 51% in both the joint venutre with MHI holding 49 per cent. The joint ventures will have an investment of Rs 1500 crore. The joint venture had already started their operations in existing facilities at Hazira last year and have already constructed two new workshops. To further add capacities by 4000 mw, the new dedicated facilities coming up at Hazira marks a significant milestone in India's power sector.

Super-critical boilers and turbines are integral components of energy efficient, coal-based power plants. They will help meet the demand supply gap for power plant equipment as India ramps up its power generation capacity using the super-critical technology.

Manufacturing capability of these products integrates into L&T's existing strengths in the power sector. L&T is currently engaged in total EPC contracts for power projects as well as manufacture of complete condensing and feed heating systems and 'balance or plant' for power projects. With L&T also declaring its intent to enter the generation space as a developer of power projects, the company has developed capabilities for becoming a single point solution provider for the power sector.

L&T -MHI will have a product configuration catering to super-critical power plants, ranging between 500 mw-1000 mw. The engineering design centre for the boilers is based in Faridabad, near New Delhi, and that for steam turbines in Vadodara, Gujarat. The new fabrication and manufacturing facilities will be extension of present complex and will be state of the art world class set up.

The company made this announcement during the trading hours today, 19 March 2008.

Software worries upset real estate mood

The infotech industry continues to rubbish speculation about a downturn in their future prospects after all the spooky talk about a recession in the US. But all the babble has sparked fears that if the software industry goes through the skids, it will have a knock-on effect on real estate prices at home. The argument goes like this: the IT and IT-enabled services industry have been one of the biggest drivers of real estate values in the country over the past few years. Reports indicate that software companies are putting their property deals on hold. These are just a few straws in the wind, but some pundits who divine trends from such stray signals say real estate prices can soon head downward as well with one of the key props for the market gone.

They believe that there will be a sobering impact on both residential and commercial prices. A recent report by the Deutsche Bank says the IT/ITeS sectors have driven 80 per cent of the demand for office space in the country over the last three to four years. The report adds, "These IT and ITeS employees had started the residential boom in India in the late 1990s and accounted for 40 per cent of the demand for residential apartments in the top 15-20 cities in India.

Youth must exploit global IT job market

Students should equip themselves with adequate knowledge to face the challenges of a technologically developed and highly competitive world, Controller of Examinations, Madurai Kamaraj University, S. Shanmugiah has said. Delivering his convocation address at Government Arts College for Women here recently, Dr. Shanmugiah said Information Technology had ushered in a new era, throwing open the international job market for local youth. The younger generation should grab the opportunity. Principal D. Bhooma presided over the convocation ceremony. A total of 532 undergraduates and 129 postgraduates received their degrees. Fourteen university rank-holders were honoured with special prizes.

Project Officer of Integrated Child Development Scheme D. Mangayarkarasi was the chief guest at the International Women's Day celebration held at the college recently. She said the concept of self-help groups enabled women in rural areas to empower themselves economically. Education played a key role in the overall development of women, she said and urged women to empower themselves.

Seven IT majors show interest in Gangaikondan SEZ

As many as seven major IT players have shown serious interest in investing in the 500-acre Gangaikondan IT SEZ in Tirunelveli. This follows a two-day roadshow that was held in January to help the top brass of nearly a dozen IT companies gauge first-hand the potential of the Gangaikondan IT Park in Tirunelveli. C. Umashankar, managing director, Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (ELCOT) told The Hindu that the whole process of land allotment was expected to be finalised by April-May. The focus, then, would shift to accelerating the ongoing infrastructure development process. Tirunelveli had centre staged the ELCOT charm both because of its proximity to Thiruvananthapuram's Technopark and because of the availability of manpower (an annual output of around 16,040 engineering graduates and 26,500 arts and science graduates). Also, by focussing on the southern hinge, the plan was to establish a "coast-to-coast" IT environment that stretched from Tirunelveli to Chennai.

ELCOT reckons that once the 500-acre SEZ is sold out like the ones in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, the task of attracting clients would be much easier for the other Tier-II cities on the radar - Salem and Tiruchi. In fact, Chief Secretary L. K. Tripathy had let in a group of potential investors on the Government vision for the IT/ITES industry. Addressing the group which had attended the Tirunelveli road show, he declared: "I'll bat for Tiruchi also." The message to IT companies eyeing expansion in Tamil Nadu was to have a serious look in the direction of other cities such as Salem, Tiruchi, Madurai and Hosur as well. The intent in Tamil Nadu is to avoid the mistakes of its neighbour Karnataka by clustering IT growth around one or two centres (Bangalore-Mysore). The Chief Secretary added that the Government was upgrading facilities in the OMR sector and other sites earmarked for IT business.

Crompton Greaves Board to consider third interim dividend

Crompton Greaves Ltd has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be held on March 28, 2008, to consider for declaration of third interim dividend for the financial year 2007-08.

Further the Company has informed that, April 04, 2008 has been fixed as the Record Date for the purpose of payment of interim divided. The dividend payment date will be April 17, 2008.

Allied Digital - Notice of Postal Ballot

Allied Digital Services Ltd has informed that the members of the Company will consider to approve by way of Postal Ballot the following Resolutions:

1. To borrow any sum or sums of money, from time to time at their discretion, for the purpose of the business of the Company, up to a limit not exceeding in the aggregate Rs 750 Cr. (Rupees: Seven Hundred Fifty Crores only) from any one or more Banks, Financial / Investment Institutions and other persons, firms, bodies corporate, foreign investors (on a private placement basis or through a public offering) notwithstanding that the money to be borrowed together with the monies already borrowed by the Company (apart from temporary loans obtained from the bankers of the Company in the ordinary course of Business) will exceed the aggregate of the paid-up capital of the Company and its free reserves (that is to say, reserves not set apart for any specific purpose) and that the Board of Directors be and is hereby empowered and authorised to arrange or fix the terms and conditions of all such monies to be borrowed from time to time as to interest, repayment, security or otherwise as they may, in their absolute discretion, think fit, subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

2. To increase the Authorised Share Capital of the Company from Rs 20,00,00,000/- to Rs 25,00,00,000/- & consequential amendment in the Memorandum of Association of the Company.

3. To issue, offer and allot pursuant to international / domestic offerings in one or more foreign markets, Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds ("FCCBs"), convertible into depository receipts with underlying equity share / equity shares, Global Depository Receipts ("GDRs"), American Depository Receipts ("ADRs"), convertible into Equity Shares or any other financial instrument (OFIs) (Issuable Securities) secured or unsecured, in one or more tranche(s), for an aggregate sum of up to US $ 100 millions including Green Shoe Option, if any or its equivalent, of incremental funds for the Company, at such price or prices, at a discount or premium to the market price or prices in such manner and on such terms and conditions including security, rate of interest, conversion period etc., as may be decided by and deemed appropriate by the Board in its absolute discretion including the discretion to determine the categories of Investors to whom the offer, issue and allotment to be made to the exclusion of all other categories of Investors at the time of such issue and allotment considering the prevailing market conditions and other relevant factors wherever necessary in consultation with the lead managers or any other advisors, as the Board in its absolute discretion may deem fit and appropriate, directly to foreign / non-resident investors (where the institutions, bodies-corporate, Trust, Foreign Banks, Financial Institutions, Foreign Institutional Investors, Mutual Funds, Companies, Other Corporate Bodies, Residents / Non-Resident Indians, Foreign Nationals whether or not such investors are members, promoters, directors, or their relatives / associates, of the company and other eligible investors as may be decided by the Board or a Committee thereof appointed for such purpose, "Investors") in international / domestic offerings by way of public issue and / or on a private placement basis or a combination thereof, subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

4. To create, offer, issue and allot at any time to or to the benefit of such person(s) who are in permanent employment of the Company, including any Director of the Company, whether whole time or otherwise, options exercisable into not more than 5,00,000 shares of the paid up Equity Share Capital of the Company under Employee Stock Option Scheme 2007 ("ESOP 2007") of the Company framed prior to its Initial Public Offer (IPO) and prior to the listing of its equity shares, in one or more tranches, and on such terms and conditions as may be fixed or determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the law or guidelines issued by the relevant Authority; each option would be exercisable for one Equity share of a face value of Rs 10 each fully paid-up on payment of the requisite exercise price to the Company, subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on March 11, 2008 has appointed Mr. Pramod S Shah, Proprietor of "Pramod S Shah & Associates" as the Scrutinizer for conducting the Postal Ballot process in a fair and transparent manner.

The Postal Ballot form duly completed should reach the scrutinizer before the closing working hours on April 16, 2008. The scrutinizer will submit his report after completion of the scrutiny and the result of the postal ballot will be announced on April 18, 2008.

Centrum Capital - EGM on Apr 05, 2008

Centrum Capital Ltd has informed that an Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the members of the Company will be held on April 05, 2008, inter alia, to transact the following Special businesses:

1. To offer, issue and allot under an "Employee Stock Purchase Scheme or ESPS Scheme 2008", up to 7,13,157 (representing 12.43% of the current equity share capital of the Company) fully paid equity shares (face value of Rs 10/- each) in the Company either directly or through a "Centrum ESPS Trust" ("Trust"), subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

2. To extend the benefits of ESPS 2008 Scheme of the Company as proposed in the resolution under item no. 1 in this Notice to such person(s) who are in permanent employment of its subsidiaries namely Centrum Direct Ltd, Centrum Infrastructure and Realty Ltd, Centrum Investments Ltd and Centrum Wealth Managers Ltd including any Director of such Companies or such other persons / Companies, as may from time to time be allowed under laws, rules, regulations and guidelines as may be applicable from time to time, on such terms and conditions as may be fixed or determined by the Board on payment of the requisite exercise price to the Company / Trust, subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

3. To offer, issue and allot up to 6,82,810 fully paid equity shares (face value of Rs 10/- each) in the Company at a rate of not exceeding Rs 1,758/- per share i.e. at a premium of Rs 1,748/- per share ranking pari passu with the existing equity shares in all respect to Indivision India Partners, a Mauritius based Private Equity Fund without offering the same to the persons who at the date of offer are holders of the equity shares of the Company, subject to necessary provisions & approvals.

Corporate News - Infotech Enterprises - Press Release - 22nd March 2008

Infotech Enterprises - Press Release

Infotech Enterprises Ltd on March 17, 2008 has announced that it has signed a new mufti-year contract with digital map leader Tale Atlas to provide extensive map database and software development services. The agreement builds on a relationship that started in 1994 and reflects Tele Atlas' continued confidence in Infotech's abilities to deliver high-quality database and software services and solutions.

Mr. B V R Mohan Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, the Company said that "In early 2005, Infotech Enterprises Ltd acquired Tele Atlas' Indian operations situated at Noida, near Delhi. Tele Atlas also entered into a services agreement with Infotech, whereby Infotech provided map database and software development services. This new engagement strengthens and reinforces the successful, long-term relationship Infotech has enjoyed with Tele Atlas. The digital mapping marketplace is highly competitive and Infotech has been providing Tele Atlas with fast and efficient processing of data with high quality. We believe that we are providing tremendous value to Tale Atlas with our domain knowledge in digital road map making."

Under the renewed agreement, Infotech will continue to deploy several hundred data conversion specialists to work on various projects for Tele Atlas. The new contract is designed to help lay a solid foundation for a process-driven relationship and focus on database and engineering innovation.

Mr. John Renard, President of Infotech's UTO Vertical said, "Infotech is pleased to play an important role in assisting Tale Atlas to consolidate its map database production globally by building additional competencies and increased capacities in mapping technology and data processes. Through our relationship, we have gained market expertise as well that helps ensure our leadership in production efficiency. We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to strengthening our relationship with Tele Atlas."

Through the agreement, Infotech's highly-skilled professional database teams assist in the production of Tele Atlas' digital map database, entering in verified map data information gathered by Tele Atlas' global resource network, which includes data collected from Tele Atlas' global fleet of Mobile Mapping Vans.