Indra Nooyi top of the CEO's

Indra Nooyi is ranked fourth among the top 15 Fortune 500 Women CEOs who "show what it takes to lead some of America's biggest companies".

Indra Nooyi, 53, has been CEO of Pepsico since 2006 and gets $13.4 million salary. Since she has been in charge, the revenue rose 10% in 2008 to $43.3 billion. She ha also raised its profile in some goodwill areas. She has made Pepsico target health-conscious and female consumers. Under Nooyi, Pepsico has created products such as Smartfood's low-fat popcorn clusters, low-calorie Trop 50, and Starbucks Frappuccino Lite.

Last year Pepsi had to cut 3,500 jobs and close 6 plants last year. Nooyi, however, has announced huge expansions abroad: $500 million in India, $1 billion in China, and $3 billion in Mexico. In addition to this PepsiCo will spend $1.2 billion to boost sales of carbonated soft drinks in America.

Forest Regeneration in India

In the new budget put forth by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, there is a Rs. 5 billion (Rs. 500 crore) program to restore and regenerate India's forest cover. Unfortunately, this did not receive the attention it should have. State governments will get money directly from the Planning Commission under the scheme named the Accelerated Program of Restoraion and Regeneraion of Forest Cover.

States will have to propose projects which will be finalized by the time the environment ministers meet in August. Eighteen districts have already been selected for pilot projects; three states, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat, already have earmarked huge sums for forestry programs under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The increase in the budget allowance for forestry is "probably the single largest increase since the ministry was formed 25 years ago."

As a person working in landscape and environmental issues, this is very exciting!!! Forests everywhere around the world are being completely wiped out a development continues. This is probably the first time a government has made such a large commitment to the redevelopment of forests.

Matt Damon in India

Matt Damon was in India for a day and a half to work on a water project in Chennai.

Damon is the founder of H2O Africa Foundation to raise awareness about the lack of clean water in Africa. He says, "I'm here for a water project in Chennai. I'll be here for a couple of days. This is my first trip for it. If need be, I'll come back. I'm very happy to be in India finally."

Damon was in India with his production partners Marc Joubert, Larry Tanz and Keith Quinn. They were on a mission for presenting clean water.

G5 Demands of G8

The emerging economies of the G5 (China, India, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa) asked the industrialized nations of the G8 (US, Britain, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, and Italy) to find global solutions to the international problems without compromising the interest of developing and poor countries. The G5 specifically mentioned the financial crisis, protectionist issues in trade, climate change, and food security as incredibly important issues that needed to be addressed.

"The developing countries are the most affected by high food prices. We agreed that agriculture and food security need to be placed at the core of the international agenda," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a press conference addressed by the leaders of the five countries. "We will see tomorrow the importance of maintaining adequate flow of finance to the developing countries and also of keeping markets open by resisting protectionist pressures. We would like to engage in a dialogue with our developed country partners on an equal footing. We recognize our obligations to preserve our environment. But climate change cannot be addressed by perpetuating the poverty of the developing countries. We need to evolve a strategy of growth that brings about a higher standard of living without harming the environment."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "We cannot discuss issues like food security and climate change without keeping the economic crisis in mind. The developing countries have suffered the most because of these issues."

His South African counterpart Jacob Zuma added that the world is confronted by multiple crises and the G8-G5 meet should collectively find solutions to these challenges.

Srinagar Violence, 70 more injured

The city of Srinagar had fresh violence yesterday, Wed. July 7th, after four days of peace. People damaged property along the streets and started fires on police vehicles in reaction to the finding of the decomposed body of a youth who had originally gone missing on July 3rd.

About 70 people, 20 of who were policemen, were injured. Hundreds of protesters (mainly youth) chanted and threw stones at the police after the news of the death of 20 year old Asrar Dar spread. The police used tear gas and batons to break up the protesters as well as firing guns into the air.

Because of the violence all shops, offices, and banks suspended work and public transportation stopped running. However, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Srinagar, Meraj Ahmad Kakroo, did not impose a curfew.

Senior Superintendent of Police Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba denied that the youth was killed in coustody, but did say that he believed the boy was killed by criminals immediately after being kidnapped last Friday. The autopsy suggested murder becaus Asrar's mouth had been blocked using a wire tape and his hands were tied behind his back. His body had been thrown into the Malkhah cemetery.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

After re-watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai this afternoon, I thought I would bring you my favorite scene from it!

Judge Physically Abused in His Own Courtroom

On July 7th, a Delhi judge, Additional District Judge Pankaj Gupta, was made to stand against the wall in his courtroom to be slapped and beaten. A group of lawyers did this to Judge Gupta when he asked them not to interrupt the proceedings of his court, a family court hearing matrimonial cases. When the court staff tried to stop the lawyers, the lawyers thrashed them as well.

A case of rioting, causing hurt and damaging public property as been registered against the five lawyers at the nearest Police Station.

People were so shocked, that the Delhi Judicial Officers' Association called an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. They even went to meet Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah to appraise him of the situation.

Pakistan admits to harboring terrorism?

This was posted by the Times of India:

"ISLAMABAD: In an astonishingly candid admission - a first by any Pakistani head of state - president Asif Ali Zardari has admitted militants and terrorists were wilfully created by past Pakistani governments and nurtured as a policy to achieve tactical objectives.

``Militants and extremists emerged on the national scene and challenged the state not because the civil bureaucracy was weakened and demoralized but because they were deliberately created and nurtured as a policy to achieve short-term tactical objectives. Let's be truthful and make a candid admission of the reality,'' he said at a gathering of civil servants in Islamabad on Tuesday night.

``The terrorists of today were heroes of yesteryear until 9/11 occurred and they began to haunt us as well,'' Zardari said, emphasising that Pakistan can't be left alone at this
stage of the war on terror. He also pointedly said that the future generations won't forgive the current leadership if it does not take corrective measures.

India has long charged Pakistan with sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir by providing arms, ammunition and training to the militants who have been engaged in a war of secession. Zardari's admission is bound to create a major flutter in Islamabad, particularly within the Army, which has historically been the author of Pakistan's India policy.

``Pakistan is a frontline state in the war against terror and we have pledged to eliminate this scourge. I have taken charge of the country at a difficult time and will meet the challenges facing the country,'' he said.

Criticising former military rulers of Pakistan - in itself an act of derring-do - Zardari said concentration of power in one individual was against the spirit of democracy and good governance; power must be dispersed. ``Too much power in one hand lasts for a short time,'' he said. ``For power to be effectively used for long lasting public good, it must be dispersed as widely as possible,'' he added.

These admissions come days after Zardari, in an article in an American daily, accused the US of fomenting militancy in Pakistan.

``The West stood by as a democratically elected (Pakistani) government was toppled by a military dictatorship in the late '70s. Because of the Soviet invasion of Afganistan, the West used my nation as a blunt instrument of the Cold War. It empowered a Gen. Zia dictatorship that brutalized its people, decimated our political parties, murdered the prime minister who had founded Pakistan's largest political party, and destroyed the press and civil society,'' Zardari wrote in the Washington Post.

``Once the Soviets were defeated, the Americans took the next bus out of town, leaving behind a political vacuum that ultimately led to the Talibanization and radicalization of Afghanistan, the birth of Al-Qaeda and the current jihadi insurrection in Pakistan.''

``The heroin mafia, which arose as a consequence of the efforts to implode the Soviet Union, now takes in $5 billion a year, twice the budget of our Army and police. This is the price Pakistan continues to pay,'' wrote Zardari in the article, `The Frontier Against Terrorism'.

It wasn't evident whether Zardari was referring to the Taliban or terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Army is currently engaged in a debilitating war with the Taliban in the Swat Valley. Of late, it has shifted focus to the militants operating in the South Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border with Afghanistan.

Zardari further said dialogue was the chief ``weapon'' his government would deploy for national reconciliation. ``We intend to keep all political forces together in a harmonious relationship as we can't afford political games and confrontational politics,'' he said.

Responding to suggestions by former civil servants, he said he was taking several measures to improve governance, tackle militancy and extremism, apart from strengthening institutions and devolving power."

Gecko's Grassroot Adventures --- Great Cheap Travels through India

Gecko's Grassroot Adventures

http://www.geckosadventures.com/India.html

Here is why you should travel with Gecko's:

One of the main reasons many travellers choose Gecko's is the fact that we exclusively use tour leaders who were born and raised in the region. They are highly qualified, speak excellent English and their intimate knowledge of their homeland enables them to unlock doors and show you things that other travellers miss out on.

Travelling with a local leader means that you enjoy a uniquely local perspective, meeting your leaders' friends along the way, eating at restaurants that the locals eat at and seeing things you won't find in any guidebooks.

Aside from the benefit to you, the traveller. we are proud to say that by employing locals, we are providing income and training to local people.

Trips

To view different trips they offer visit this site:

http://www.geckosadventures.com/India/All-Trips-in-this-Region.html

When to go:

The climatic conditions in India and Nepal can vary widely depending on the region and the time of the year. As a guideline, the monsoon in both India and Nepal falls between the months of April through to September. The weather during this time is generally hot, humid and wet. Travel in this region is not generally recommended during this period, unless you are planning to visit the Indian Himalaya when these months are ideal. The ideal time to visit India (other than the Indian Himalaya) and the best time to trek in Nepal is during the non-monsoon months starting in late September through to early April.

India provides the world's most pronounced example of a monsoon climate. The wet and dry seasons of the monsoon system, along with the annual temperature fluctuations, produce three general climatic periods over much of the country:

Monsoon - Hot, wet weather from about mid-June to the end of September.

Retreating Monsoon - Cool, dry weather from early October to February.

Summer - Hot, dry weather from about March to mid-June.

Goregous Henna Designs!

Imaginative Traveller --- Great Cheap Travel Programs Throughout India

Imaginative Traveller - India

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/destinations/Asia/India

Imaginative Traveller has many different types of travel adventures. It is a great cheap way to see the world. They have many different types of travel adventures: Family Adventures, Grass Roots Travel, Ground Breaking Travel, Honeymoons & Special Adventures, Short Breaks, Special Interest, Tailor-Made, Travel in Comfort, Travel in Style, and Volunteer. For more information see below:

Family Adventures

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/family

Looking for an imaginative family adventure holiday with a difference? Then you are going to love Imaginative Family adventure travel! Perfect for families keen to see the world’s most exciting destinations with other like-minded families, who want to challenge themselves and encounter fascinating cultures and remarkable scenery.

Most parents agree that if the children are enjoying themselves then the parents are too. Thus we have used our knowledge and imagination to create innovative family adventure holidays that will keep ALL ages (from 6 year olds to grandparents) stimulated and involved. Take the classroom out to the world and give your children something really WOW to talk about back home and at school. Education by experience.

Transport: Private air conditioned transport, luxury cruise boat, planes

Accomodation: Tourist class hotels with private facilities. Twin share or family where possible. Some nights reflect the nature of the country you are visiting, e.g., jungle rafthouse

Single Supplements: Usually available

Recommended Age: Minimum 6 years (10 for volunteer adventures). Maximum 18 years for children

Tour Personnel: Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader and local guides

Included Meals: Breakfasts with some lunches and some evening meals dependent on destination

Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum bookings

Group Size: 6 - 20

Grass roots travel

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Grass-roots-travel

Get under the skin of the world’s most exciting countries through in-depth encounters with the local community. With fantastic destinations, the expertise of our tour leaders, plenty of independent time to explore and the freedom to dine where you wish these are quality adventure tours that offer great value for money

Transport: Private air conditioned & public transport, private cruise boat, sleeper train
Accommodation: Twin share with private facilities sometimes multi share. Local families, tree houses, gers, boats, train
Single Supplements: Not Available
Group Size: 6 - 20
Recommended Age: Minimum 18 years
Tour Personnel: Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader and local guides
Included Meals: Breakfasts dependent on location but all meals whilst on cruise boats or in remote locations
Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum bookings
Tour Duration: 2 - 73 days

Ground breaking travel

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Ground-breaking-travel

Push the boundaries of adventure travel and reach some of the world’s most remote corners on

these dynamic itineraries. You will give up your creature comforts to go off the beaten track, experience challenging terrain and explore rugged locations around the world that few have ventured to. Ground-breaking and unforgettable travel.

Transport: Dependent on destination - camel, horse, 4WD, foot, bus, bicycle
Accommodation: Simple hotels, camping
Single Supplements: Usually Available
Recommended Age: Minimum 18 years
Tour Personnel: Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader
Included Meals: Only meals in remote locations
Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum bookings
Group Size: 6 - 12

Honeymoons & Special Adventures

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Special-Adventures-Honeymoon

Looking for something really special? Then check out our carefully selected collection of exclusive worldwide journeys. Each itinerary has been designed to offer a fascinating insight into a destination and our hand-picked hotels are some of the most exquisite properties in the world.

Whether you are planning an unforgettable honeymoon combining relaxation and adventure, a once in a lifetime extravaganza or a really exciting and unique itinerary with people who are

special to you, our Imaginative Special Adventures will ensure you get the most out of your holiday.

To enquire about Imaginative Traveller Honeymoons and Special Occasions please email honeymoon@imtrav.net

Transport: Private air conditioned vehicle; safari jeeps may be shared with other people
Accommodation: Heritage hotels, private villa/lodge, 1st class/luxury boat with private facilities, Luxury tented camp, Hill tribe trek Thailand - 2 nights basic shared
Single Supplements: On quotation
Recommended Age: No minimum
Tour Personnel: Tours and transfers by guide/driver

Included Meals: Breakfasts, some lunches, some dinners - dependent on location - see itinerary
Guaranteed departures: Private tour - guaranteed
Group Size: Not applicable

Short Breaks

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Short-Breaks

A fabulous collection of Short Breaks that have been carefully designed so you can get the most

out of a country for a short time - for example our Short City Breaks give you a city tour, with a difference. Rather than focus on sightseeing, the aim is to get you off the tourist trail and discover a city's hidden gems that few visitors know about. Your Imaginative Traveller Escort will take you to locations that aren't in any guidebook and you'll visit the places the locals do - to get that really authentic experience.

Of course, if relaxation is more your style then why not try some of our Short Beach Breaks where you can spend a few days unwinding amidst a landscape of azure waters, white sand beaches and exploring magnificent rainforests. With options in Egypt, India and Thailand which combine delicious local food, rich cultures and as much or as little activity as you choose, this is the taste of paradise you’ve always dreamed of.

Transport: Dependent on destination – camel, boat, foot, bus, jeep, train, plane, truck

Accommodation: Dependent on destination – heritage/tourist/simple hotels, ‘luxurious’ mud huts, sleeper train, deluxe tents, homestay, guesthouse, cruise boat

Single Supplements: Compulsory for single travellers

Recommended Age: Varies according to tour

Tour Personnel: Usually services of representatives

Included Meals: Varies according to tour

Special Interest

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Special-Interest

A fabulous collection of tours that have been carefully designed so that you can combine your passion or particular special interest with an adventure holiday: Photography tours are led by a professional photographer, combining expert advice and tuition with some incredible photo opportunities. The perfect way to master your techniques amidst colourful surroundings. Tours in India, Tibet, China, and Vietnam.

Cuisine tours will tantalise the taste buds by combining cooking classes with visits to local markets and specialist restaurants to sample regional delicacies. Tours in China, Vietnam, India and Thailand.

Transport: Dependent on destination – camel, boat, foot, bus, jeep, train, plane, truck
Accommodation: Dependent on destination – heritage/tourist/simple hotels, ‘luxurious’ mud huts, sleeper train, deluxe tents, homestay, guesthouse, cruise boat
Single Supplements: Usually available
Recommended Age: Minimum 18 years
Tour Personnel: Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader (and professional photographer where applicable)
Included Meals: Certain meals included

Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum booking
Group Size: 6-15
Countries Visited: China, India, Tibet, Thailand, Vietnam

Tailor-made

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Tailor-made

Imaginative Traveller has many years’ experience running small group adventures around the world and we’ve brought that same expertise to our tailor-made adventures.

Surely the ultimate in flexibility. If you love the journeys we offer but would like a personalised itinerary for just yourself and partner, family, group of friends, charity or school expedition, why not use our expertise to arrange your very own tour?

We can offer private versions of any of our trips or tailor many of them to create a unique and very personal travel experience. For all ages, all types of tour styles of travel and for any size of group. We love putting our personal, firsthand knowledge of the destinations to the test so what are you waiting for?

Let us know your personal travel itinerary and we'll tailor it to your needs. Alternatively click here to fill out our specially designed form to create your perfect trip.

Travel In Comfort

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Travel-in-comfort

Our most popular style of travel! Perfect if you love to experience the culture and tradition of a

destination with a level of comfort and organisation. Numerous inclusions allow you to fully relax and enjoy an authentic travel experience without having to rough it.

Transport: Private air conditioned transport, 1st class sleeper train, planes

Accommodation: Usually tourist class hotels on twin share basis with private facilities simple palaces, gers, stay with local families

Single Supplements Usually available

Recommended Age Minimum 18 years

Tour Personnel Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader and dependent on destination - back up crew

Included Meals Breakfast with some evening meals. All meals whilst on cruise boats or in remote locations

Guaranteed departures Subject to minimum bookings

Group Size 6 - 15

Travel in style

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Travel-in-style

If you want to explore the world’s most spectacular destinations – in style, then our connoisseur

trips are for you. You will stay in some of the most exquisite accommodation around, travelling in comfort whilst still experiencing the spirit of the country. A truly luxury adventure travel experience.

Transport: Private air conditioned coach, domestic flights, luxury cruise boat
Accommodation: Accommodation in unique, traditional and evocative places - high level of comfort
Single Supplements: Compulsory for single travellers
Recommended Age: Minimum 18 years
Tour Personnel: Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader and local guides
Included Meals: Breakfasts and some evening meals
Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum bookings

Group Size: 6 - 12

Volunteer

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trip-styles/Volunteer

Unique opportunities to immerse yourself within a community or project combined with an exciting adventure holiday. Our volunteer trips offer you the chance to make a significant contribution whilst gaining an invaluable insight into a different society. Make a real difference whilst maximising your experience with a tour of the region at the end of your placement.

Transport: Private bus, 4WD, train, motorised canoe

Accommodation: Dependent on destination: camping, basic dormitory, home stay (very basic) tourist class hotel on twin share basis

Single Supplements: Sometimes available

Recommended Age: Minimum 18 years

Tour Personnel: Build team, Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader, trek leader/crew, volunteer programme co-ordinator

Included Meals: Breakfasts. Other meal availability varies with destination

Guaranteed departures: Subject to minimum bookings

Group Size: 6 - 12

Cheetahs back in the wilds of India?

The cheetah has been extinct from India since approximately the 1940s. The government in New Delhi is talking about importing cheetahs into India and eventually releasing them into the wild.

Environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, “The cheetah is the only animal that has been declared extinct in India in the last 1,000 years. We have to get them from abroad to repopulate the species.”

The plan to bring back the cheetah, which fell to indiscriminate hunting and complex factors like a fragile breeding cycle, is quite audacious given the problems plauging tiger conservation. But loss of the superb hunter that once roamed in central Asia, Afghanistan and India has rankled and the possibility of the cheetah staging a comeback is alluring.

Wacky rains

Heavy rains are hitting Mumbai and Vadodra in the western region where flooding streets are throwing normal life out of whack even as a dry spell continues in the northern belt with a heat wave reaching 44 degrees celius.

Ganganagar hit 45.7 degrees. Bikaner hit 45.4 degrees. Churu hit 45.3 degree. Barmer hit 44.6 degrees. This is unheard of at this time of year. Without the monsoon, the national high hit 40.6 degrees on average which is 5 degrees above normal.

However, heavy downpours hit Mumbai and inundated low-lying areas. These rains affected roads, rails, and air traffic. The rains were accompanied by gusyt winds where several trees were uprooted.

Pune for example got 10.3mm of rain while the temperature fell quite a bit.

Swine Flu Again

Five new cases of Swine flu were reported in India today. The total stands at 158 in the country. 2 were reported in Srinagar, 1 from Delhi, 1 from Mumbai, and 1 from Bangalore. 1,007 people have been tested for Swine flu in India. 303 were identified through screening at 22 international airports. 113 of the 158 people have been discharged for having beated the flu.

The World Health Organization on Monday said there were 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection in 135 countries since the outbreak of the virus. There have been 429 deaths globally, a majority of them from Mexico and the US.

Liquor Deaths in Ahmedabad

At least 43 people have died in Ahmedabad after they drank illegally brewed liquor. The police are thoroughly investigating this to identify the liquor dens and nab the bootleggers across Gujarat. On top of the 43 dead, at least 16 people have fallen critically ill. Most of the victims are laborers. Sale and consumption of alcohol is COMPLETELY banned across Gujarat since 1960. Because the death toll is rising so fast, many protests from activists of NGO's and the state's main opposition party are coming to the forefront.

Minister of State for Home, Amit Shah, told that a probe would be set up for the illicit liquor tragedy. While he did not say when it would begin he did say, "The government has ordered suspension of a deputy superintendent of police in-charge of the areas where the tragedy took place and all necessary action is being taken against the responsible officials."

Evidence has come to light that it was a high percentage of ethyl alcohol in the brew that has caused so many of the casualties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government ordered the suspension of two police inspectors in-charge of the locality, where the tragedy took place. The opposition members later protested what they termed "insufficient action" taken by the state government. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Arjun Modhvadia later told reporters that the state government had been unable to break the "police-bootlegger nexus", leading to the tragedy. "We demand the home minister's resignation immediately," he added.

(Molecular Component of Ethyl Alcohol)