Ajit Jain

Stories by Ajit Jain

Why India can rejoice Canada election result

Why India can rejoice Canada election result

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2008

From India's perspective, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's re-election has positive ramifications. Under Harper's tenure, India and

India to be developed nation: Blackberry CEO

India to be developed nation: Blackberry CEO

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2008

James Laurence Balsillie, founder and co-chief executive officer of Research in Motion, feels that in the next 20 years, India will reach the developed nation status with $20,000 per capita income in terms of purchasing power parity.

'Nine Sikhs fought for Canada in World War'

'Nine Sikhs fought for Canada in World War'

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2008

Nine Sikhs joined the Canadian Army and fought in World War I in France and Belgium. This has been discovered by Canadian film maker David Gray who reportedly stumbled on this material while researching for his documentary 'Sikh-Canadian Heroes of the First World War' to be released later this year.

Akshay in Deepa Mehta's next?

Akshay in Deepa Mehta's next?

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2008

Deepa Mehta plans to make an ambitious film on the 1914 Komagata Maru tragedy that demonstrated the racist policies of the then Canadian Government.

Canadian PM may visit India soon

Canadian PM may visit India soon

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2008

There are already indications that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited Harper to be India's chief guest at the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. Of course, it depends that Harper's government would be re-elected in October 14 federal vote.

India, Canada FTA recommended

India, Canada FTA recommended

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2008

The CEOs on both sides, headed by Thomas d'Aquino, chief executive and president of Canadian Council of Chief Executives, and Tarun Das, president of Confederation of Indian Industries, submitted a 14-page report on September 2 to the two trade ministers in Canada and India for their considerations and follow-up actions.

Canada to hold general elections in October

Canada to hold general elections in October

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2008

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday night announced that general elections will be held on October 14, a year before schedule. Harper, who has a minority in the Parliament, is hoping to secure a majority through the upcoming elections. The election will cost Canadian tax payers $300 million.

TULF chief dismayed by LTTE support in Canada

TULF chief dismayed by LTTE support in Canada

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2008

The president of the Tamil United Liberation Front is in Toronto for a few days meeting with his constituents, Sri Lankan-Canadians, Canadian politicians at various levels, sharing with them how political conditions in his country have deteriorated. V Andasangaree, who was previously member of Sri Lankan Parliament, was a guest speaker at the opening of the exhibition The Call of the Conscience at Toronto's Royal Thompson Hall on August 25.

Canadian intelligence seeks support of Muslims

Canadian intelligence seeks support of Muslims

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2008

A grieving member of Air India victims' family told the regional director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, "You were responsible for the death of my father." Andy Ellis reportedly told leaders of the local Muslim community that this encounter took place while he was attending a memorial service last year for 329 people killed in the Air India bombing in June 1985.

Canada: Pro-Khalistan demonstrators protest

Canada: Pro-Khalistan demonstrators protest

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2008

Police officers had to intervene in the arguments between some Indo-Canadians, who were marching in the Independence Day parade on August 10 in downtown Toronto, and a handful of pro-Khalistani demonstrators. The parade was organised by the Indian Consulate-General and Panorama India, a community organisation.

Akshay to rock Vancouver

Akshay to rock Vancouver

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2008

Akshay will arrive at Vancouver's PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) -- in a helicopter no less -- and give them a concert to remember on August 2. The actor will especially promote his upcoming film, Singh Is Kinng, in the city, which has a large Sikh community.

Forgettable controversies over Unforgettable show

Forgettable controversies over Unforgettable show

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2008

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan might be ecstatic over the success of the inaugural show of his Unforgettable tour at the Rogers Center in Toronto, July 18, but there are conflicting reports about how many people actually watched some of India's biggest movie stars do the Bollywood shimmy.

India's role in Afghanistan crucial, says Canada

India's role in Afghanistan crucial, says Canada

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2008

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper sat down on the side of G-8 meeting in Rusutsu (Japan) July 9 to discuss a range of issues, including Afghanistan, enhanced trade, civil nuclear cooperation, and climate change.

'The people of India are for the nuclear deal'

'The people of India are for the nuclear deal'

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2008

'We are part of a global nuclear embargo. We are subject to global nuclear apartheid. And we want to move on, so that our people get the opportunities that they deserve in the context of another option in the energy sector,' says Science & Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.

Another Rajnikanth in the making?

Another Rajnikanth in the making?

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2008

A Canadian newspaper called him the 'Tom Cruise of India'. That could be pushing it, since Tamil movie star Silambarasan, 24 -- 'Simbu', as he is more popularly known has very little marquee value outside of his native Tamil Nadu. But within that state, he is hailed, at least by his fans, as heir presumptive to the mantle of superstar Rajnikanth.

New film throws spotlight back on Kanishka bombing

New film throws spotlight back on Kanishka bombing

Rediff.com   21 May 2008

Sturla Gunnarsson's powerful film on the Kanishka bombing, Air India 182, premiered at the Hot Docs Festival recently. Vancouver-based Gunnarsson, who is originally from Iceland and whose wife is Punjabi, has put a number of members of the victims' families in front of the camera, sharing their pain and anguish with the viewers.

Canada: Jet flight receives bomb threat, grounded

Canada: Jet flight receives bomb threat, grounded

Rediff.com   9 May 2008

Jet Airways Flight 225 to Chennai was grounded in Toronto on Monday after the police received a bomb threat. A report in Friday's National Post reveals that the police received an anonymous threat less than two hours before the Jet Airways Flight was scheduled to depart from the Pearson International Airport in Toronto.Though the investigators were aware that it might be a hoax threat, they decided to take no chances. Hence, the flight was grounded.

'100 million people in India are malnourished'

'100 million people in India are malnourished'

Rediff.com   8 May 2008

The Padma Shri winner and eminent scientist speaks to Senior Editor Ajit Jain

Honour for Akshay!

Honour for Akshay!

Rediff.com   8 May 2008

Akshay Kumar will soon become a doctor courtesy the University of Windsor (Ontario), which will confer an honorary doctorate to the star on May 9 in Toronto, Canada. And the Khildadi star has one person to thank for the honour. The person in question is Ajay Virmani, Cargojet President, who lobbied for the actor.

Portrayal of Indira's killers: Organizers flayed

Portrayal of Indira's killers: Organizers flayed

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2008

According to a report in the Vancouver Sun, a day before the parade, Sudager Singh Sandhu, president of the organizing temple Dasmesh Darbar, had stated that 'no banned organizations would be allowed in the parade and that there would be 'no pictures depicting violence or the outcome of violence'.