Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Ninja 250R, introduced by Kawasaki Motors in 1983 and the most charismatic 250cc sports bike in its segment, has finally made its mark India. The lightweight Ninja 250R has Supersport styling, a very rider-friendly engine, excellent performance and an amiable chassis.

Engine

Powered by a 249cc liquid cooled, parallel twin, DOHC petrol engine, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R has a power of 32bhp at 11000 rpm with the maximum torque of 22 Nm at 8200 rpm. The Ninja 250R sports a revised six-speed transmission for smoother shifting and works on a more durable clutch along with a new radiator that provides better cooling without adding extra weight to the bike.
The refined engine of Ninja 250R delivers smooth, step-free power improving low- and mid-range power to offer dynamic rider-friendly response. The combustion chamber has been designed in a way that optimizes combustion efficiency and reduces emissions.

Though this bike is available in 4 colours in the global markets, Bajaj has launched it in only two colours in India - Lime Green and Ebony Black.

Bajaj will be importing the Ninja 250R in CKD (Complete Knock Down) to make the bike more affordable in Indian market. The starting price of Ninja 250R in Chennai and Delhi start from 2.69 lakhs.

Design

Ninja 250R brings forth sharp handling and crisp dynamics - something that the Indians have been craving for from a very long time. Putting on a complete fairing with large plastic and steel parts, the Baby Ninja gives a very aggressive look when cast a look at the head with dual-lamp headlamp.

The rear view mirrors that are mounted on the smart fairing gel with the overall look of the bike. A black tinted windscreen, sandwiched between the rear-view mirrors, protects the rider from wind blast. The front turn indicators give an addictive look and enhance the machismo look of the bike. Ninja 250R comes complete with 6 spoke black alloy wheels with racing strips at the rim. The slim and sharp protection cover gives a sporty look to the tail part. Adding to the attraction of the Ninja 250R is the step-up seat at the back.

The instrument cluster of the Ninja 250R including the speedometer, odometer, trip meter and tachometer are a downer as they all come in the analog format. However, the cluster comes with the warning lights such as low oil, low fuel, choked air filter, high oil temperature and low battery indicators

Ride And Handling

With the top speed of 176kmph, the Ninja can accelerate up to 100kmph at 5.75 seconds. As claimed by Bajaj, the bike gives a mileage of 42.5kmpl. The 6-speed gearbox of Kawasaki Ninja 250R reduces friction while shifting the gears under power, making the ride smooth as butter. The paper-base friction plates help increase clutch durability.

Enhanced by the well designed dual catalysers, the bike meets the strict emission standards. To provide a steeper steering without compromising the wheelbase when mated with a longer swing-arm, Ninja 250R rests a new diamond-type frame made of high tensile steel. Compared to the 2008 model of Ninja 250R, the fork is larger and stiffer and with revised settings.

Ninja 250R features an excellent braking performance powered by a balanced action two-piston caliper and large 290mm front hydraulic discs further enhance the stopping power. The rear features two-piston caliper grips with 220mm petal disc.

Images: Kawasaki

Text: India Syndicate

Mercedes to Develop a Small Car

Mumbai: Trying to hitch a ride on the Indian auto gravy train, luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is developing a premium small car specially for the Indian market.

The car is being developed with help from Merc's research and development centre in Bangalore at an investment of around Rs 6,000 crore, a senior company official told FE .

The development of the premium small car is over and above Merc's plans to introduce its A and B-class cars -- small category cars that it sells globally -- into the country.

"In the long term, we can develop our own car for India. The days of having global models are changing and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are looking at market-specific models. We feel there would be a need for an India-specific car by us in the future," said Uwe Jarosch, chief financial officer and member of the board of management, Mercedes-Benz India.

"If we are investing 1 billion euro on the development of the car, then we definitely need huge volumes to justify that," he added.

With the Indian car market on steroids -- 13,69,174 cars were sold in April-December 2010, 30% more than the previous year -- global car-makers such as Hyundai, Honda, Volkswagen and Skoda have already launched premium small cars in the past three to four years.

BMW had also expressed its interest to launch its Mini, a premium small car, in India. While these cars cost between Rs 5 and Rs 8 lakh, Merc's car is expected to be priced higher. The India-specific premium small car is expected to be based on the next-generation Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture (MFA) platform.

The MFA can have a wide range of wheelbases and configurations on it, and is capable of supporting a fuel-cell powertrain and other green technologies. Merc will begin discussions with Indian vendors soon regarding developing the car, the official added.

"Every OEM today wants to expand its portfolio to meet the requirements of various segments of the market," said Abdul Majeed, auto practice leader at PwC, adding, "other than Mercedes-Benz, we would also see other luxury car makers make similar moves in the premium small car segment."

Currently, there are 600 people working at Merc's R&D centre in Bangalore and the company plans to double the number by next year. The R&D centre supports Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Germany and is on par with its other R&D centres in the world (it works partly on new platforms already).

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz said it will start semi-knocked down (SKD) assembly of M-class and GL by end of this year. In the recent future, the company will be launching the new Maybach next week and new generation C-Class by April this year.

It is also mulling a small engine on E-Class and C-Class models. Moreover, the company is also setting up brand centres in major metros, including New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

Source: Financial Express

Gates Heats Up Talk On Climate Change, Bats For India

Davos: Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates did not mind taking cudgels with world leaders when batting for India’s poor in the raging global debate on sustainable growth, where climate change clearly seems to be edging out growth and development, so critical to emerging economies.

"Climate change issues cannot be addressed by asking the poor to cut back on consumption. You can't get 90 per cent of carbon dioxide reduction by telling them to reduce their nutrition levels. You can't have a just world by asking them to use less energy," Gates said, responding to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who said climate change was the entry point for sustainable growth.

In his opening address at a session on "Redefining Sustainable Development" moderated by foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman, the UN Secretary-General was clear that the world needed sweeping changes and some out-of-box thinking to create growth in a resource-constrained environment. "One resource scarcest of all today is time," said Ban Ki-Moon.

According to Gates, the world population would grow by a factor of 1.5 over the medium-to-long term. "If we take care of a baby in the first 30 days, reproductive planning and vaccination is more important than the clamour for asking the poor in North India to cut back on their energy consumption. You can't ask a household to light one candle instead of two," he said.

Gates, like governments in most emerging economies, wants people to lead better lifestyles. "We don't want a situation where the bottom two billion of the population uses less energy. The poor will consume more food and more energy." He believes that the world needs a breakthrough to address the issues of climate change and clean energy. "But innovation gets underfunded. And food for poorest is the most underfunded," Gates said.

Friedman didn't lose this opportunity and quickly prodded leaders to react to US failure on innovation in clean technology.

"One of the biggest engines of innovation is the US economy. But climate change has become a four-letter word in the US. A clean energy bill in the US is likely only by 2013," he pointed out, prodding the panel comprising three heads of state (Finland, Indonesia and Mexico) and CEOs of two global corporations, RIM (of Blackberry fame) and Walmart Stores.

Pat came the reply from Mexican President Felipe Calderon. "Is the US doing enough? Answer is no. The US needs to be a leader," he said. Ban Ki-moon felt that the climate change challenge must be first addressed by the developed world: "The US and European countries have a moral responsibility. But President Obama is facing some difficulties in domestic politics. The US should be followed by China, India and Brazil."

Calderon and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, heads of two emerging economies, subtly made it clear that growth was an imperative, even as it was possible to simultaneously take care of climate change. "It is a false dilemma that growth comes at the cost of sustainability. It is possible to promote growth and preserve nature," said Mexican President Calderon.

"From the perspective of developing countries, it is necessary to continuously grow and build stronger economic capacity over years. But, there is no contradiction between achieving economic growth and sustainable development," said Indonesian President Yudhoyono.

Global CEOs, however, had a slightly different perspective. President and CEO Walmart Stores Mike Duke said business should not be sitting and waiting for government to initiate action. For instance, he said, Walmart will soon launch the sustainability product index to understand the background of any product being sold through its stores.

RIM chairman and co-CEO Jim Balsillie said the world needs to be radically ambitious because despite all the good things business is doing, the problem is far worse that it was 20 years ago and is only getting worse. "We have to fundamentally rethink economics," he said.

Source: The Indian Express

And The Bands Came Marching In

By Pritha Chatterjee
The President’s Bodyguards during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Saturday.

The 62nd Republic Day celebrations culminated in a scintillating show by bands of the Armed Forces at Vijay Chowk, in the backdrop of the stately Rashtrapati Bhavan on a pleasantly chilly Saturday evening.

This year’s event highlight was the nearly 100 per cent renditions of Indian compositions, with 19 of the 25 songs being composed by Indians. For pipes and drums, where there are no existing Indian compositions, Western renditions had to be played.

Like every year, the ceremony had a huge crowd as audience. A doctor couple from Mizoram, who have been trying to get passes for the past three years, finally managed to see “the magnificence of the lit-up Rashtrapati Bhavan”.

“Though we are government servants, passes are hard to come by. I have attended the Republic Day function twice before, but I always wanted to see this performance,” said the 45-year-old doctor. According to him, the show was more “organised and coordinated” in comparison to the chaotic Republic Day celebrations. “We had heard the President’s house looks its most beautiful at this ceremony. Today we saw that,” added his wife.

Students from the Gyan Shakti School, Noida, were happy as they witnessed the ceremony for the their first-time. “Our school got passes for 25 of us. It was wonderful to see such a grand show. I saw the Prime Minister and the President for the first time,” said an excited student.

UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, who could not attend the Republic Day parade due to ill health, was also seen enjoying the performances of the military bands.

The audience’s favourite was easily the ‘Drummers call’ during the finale, which saw many audience members standing up to applaud the collective percussionists’ performance from all bands. The performance of the Navy and Air Force bands, accompanied by chimes from the North and South Block, also caught the audience’s attention. The second composition to be played — the “Indian Star” — where band members marched smartly into a star formation with their commander at the centre, was also appreciated.

Of the 35 bands that performed, 20 were from the military and 15 were pipe and drum specialists. The Navy and the Air Force together had four bands, while the Army was represented by 27 bands.

The unfurling of the Tricolour, before the Rashtrapati Bhavan was lit up against the setting sun, got a standing ovation from the crowd.

Remote Control Rebels

Why China’s meddling in the Northeast should worry Delhi

By Ajit Doval

Nations accustomed to making episodic responses to high-profile security events run the risk of missing out subterranean trends and realities.

Wang Qing, a Chinese woman spy masquerading as a television reporter, was recently arrested and deported after she visited the headquarters of the NSCN(IM), a Naga rebel group, in Hebron, some 30 km from Dimapur.

But the news attracted little attention. The authorities say she admitted to being a spy for the People’s Security Bureau, a Chinese intelligence agency. She had had a four-hour-long closed-door session with T. Muivah, a rebel leader who is holding talks with the Indian government.

The rebel group, however, would have the Indian government go by what its spokesperson Phunthing Shimrang says—that “the general secretary (Muivah) has made it clear we are holding talks here and have no relations with China”.

Of late, the security discourse pertaining to the Northeast has been marked by good news: peace engagement with the rebels, improved cooperation from Bangladesh, dissent within insurgent groups and so on.

But, in a region that has a 5,215-km international border as opposed to just one per cent of that with the Indian mainland, the external factor, though pivotal, is often glossed over.

China, with which India has an uneasy security relationship, shares a border of nearly 1,561 km with the northeastern states.

It has a dubious record of meddling with insurgent groups there. There was a lull since the mid-’80s, but there is increasing evidence of China reviving its covert offensive in the region.

Chinese support to rebel groups has waxed and waned in accordance with the content and direction of our bilateral relations, their evaluation of the strength and grit of New Delhi, the viability of insurgent groups.

Naga rebels were the first to establish transborder contacts, in the early ’60s. The 1962 Indo-China war only catalysed the process.

Facilitated by Pakistani intelligence in Dacca, Kughato Sukhai, the self-styled Naga prime minister, wrote to Chinese leaders on May 29, 1963, alleging persecution and oppression by India.

He exhorted China to “honour and follow their principle of safeguarding and upholding the cause of any suppressed nation of Mongolian stock”.

In November 1966, China welcomed a 300-strong contingent of Naga rebels led by Thinusilie and Muivah. Trained, and laden with huge quantities of arms and equipment, the contingent returned in January 1968 and established a huge camp in the Jotsoma jungles.

When Indian forces attacked it in June that year, they recovered Chinese weapons and incriminating documents.

These initial interactions of northeastern insurgent groups with China gradually expanded. Soon, it came to patronise, train and arm Mizo, Meitei, Kuki and Assamese insurgents.

Procurement of weapons from China’s Yunnan province, their transportation into India across Myanmar or via the sea route, arrangements for money transactions, liaison with Thai insurgents—all this got institutionalised over the years.

Recent developments, though coming after a long lull, indicate a major policy shift on part of China, one that should give India cause for worry.

In October 2007, on the invitation of the Chinese authorities, Anthony Shimray, in charge of the NSCN(IM)’s foreign affairs, visited China and met Lee Wuen, head of the intelligence unit of Yunnan province (of which the deported spy was an operative) and other officials in Dehong Mangshi, near Kunming.

He handed over to the Chinese a letter from Muivah, self-styled “prime minister” of NSCN(IM), naming Kholose Swu Sumi, a Sema Naga from Zunheboto, their “permanent representative” in China.

The Chinese welcomed this and wanted Kholose to keep them updated on the movements of the Indian army, particularly in Arunachal, the activities of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans and on the NSCN(IM)’s peace talks with the Indian government.

In April 2009,  it was the turn of Isak Chisi Swu, the NSCN(IM) president involved in talks with New Delhi, to visit China.

Paresh Baruah of ULFA, too, visited China in 2010. Reports say he led a group of 80 cadres which received training and weapons in Yunnan province. This is significant, for the Maoists are known to be sourcing weapons from ULFA.

China’s renewed interest in insurgencies in the northeastern states cannot be wished away, coming as it does in the backdrop of its increasing aggressiveness, military activities in border areas, claims on Arunachal Pradesh and the links of the Maoists with insurgents in the Northeast.

Engaging the rebels in talks will alone not suffice. New Delhi must display greater clarity of vision. Mistaking talks with insurgent groups as an end rather than a means to an end will push us into a self-made strategic trap.

(The writer, ex-director of the Intelligence Bureau, now heads the Vivekandanda International Foundation, Delhi.)

We Are Indians First, Says Mizoram Chief Minister

Aizawl, Jan 29 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who made headlines in 2009 by saying he was a victim of racism in his own country, emphasised here today that each and every citizen of India is Indian first.

''India is a land of diversity, made up of people belonging to different tribes and castes and following different religions. But, all of us are Indian first irrespective of where we come from and we should all be proud to be a Indian,'' Lal Thanhawla said to a team of Bharat Parikrama, who met him at his official residence here.

The four-time chief minister, who had received a 'son of India' award in his previous tenures, expressed regrets that there used to be 'some national leaders who could not tell where is Mizoram' and that he himself had often been mistaken for a foreigner.

''Where we come from or what religions we belong don't matter. We should all accept one another as one and bring the great country forward,'' he added.

Welcoming the touring members into one of the remotest parts of India, Mr Lal Thanhawla expressed hopes that the tour would bring about better brotherhood among the people of India.

The team members included 80 youths drawn from 15 different states. They are on all-India national integration tour conducted by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Mizoram zone, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, under the sponsorship of the ministry of home affairs.

The touring members, are not only in Mizoram for the first time but also in a Northeastern state.

''I almost could not believe that I am still in India. The people and the land are completely different from the mainland. I am proud of this great country and proud to be Indians and feel really fortunate to have this opportunity to explore the incredible India,'' said a team member who came from Uttar Pradesh.

Construction of NH 53 in Manipur in Full Swing

Imphal, Jan 29 : The National Highway (NH) 53, which has emerged as the lifeline of Manipur after Naga groups imposed an economic blockade on NH 39 last year, is one of the Centre's flagship projects in the northeast.

The Central Government has been pumping funds into the northeast for the development of infrastructure that forms one of the pillars of growth.

The work is under progress on National Highway (NH) 53 from Imphal to Jiribam, which is the alternate route to NH 39 for trucks and other vehicles.

The NH 53 became the lifeline of Manipur after Naga sponsored groups imposed an economic blockade on NH 39 last year.

The government has since then shows a keen interest in improving the condition of the highway. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) was sanctioned Rs 392 crores for its repair with a final deadline of 2013. 30 companies of the BRO are involved in the construction that includes the use of more than 600 labourers, out of whom 60 percent are locals.

Work on seven bridges is complete and on the other two is in progress. As of now, 50 percent of the ground has been levelled. About 150 kilometers of the road is said to be in a deplorable state, while the remaining 71 kilometers is said to be in good condition.

"The Border Roads Organization is maintaining this road well and the progress is good. They have started the patching up work, and wherever widening is needed, they are doing it," said Rumpeo Kamai, Chairman, Sekhaino Village.

"The Border Roads Organization is doing good work here and Manipur should contribute towards it. If the highway is not constructed, the people of Manipur will face problems and the government should understand that the highway is needed for the people of Manipur," added Pavitra Singh, a villager.

The work at the construction site, however, often slows down due to problems like land acquisition formalities, instability and militancy.

Militant groups like National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and Naga National Council (NNC) extort money from contractors and want a specific percentage of funds allocated for the project. Continuous monsoon showers also affect the work.

Recently, a high level delegation appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the leadership of M C Mehanathon visited the construction site to assess progress.

"We heard reports that the road was in bad condition. So, the ministry deputed me to look into the matter and check how the work was going. The Government is keen that NH 53 should be the alternate lifeline of Manipur," said M C Mehanathon, Director (NE-1), MHA.

"The Border Roads Organization is doing the best and they have deployed their manpower. Now the work is under good progress and roads will improve in next 2-3 months and by 2013 the work will finish," he added

Northeast Fair Gives ‘Cashless Transaction’ A New Meaning

Centuries-old barter mela sidesteps inflation, builds new bridges of communal harmony

PHOTOS : ANJANA DUTTA

By Ratnadip Choudhury

Delhi, Jan 29 : Over the past five decades, Thaneswar Ingti gets to meet his friend Dhanidhar Amsong only once a year.

Dhanidhar treks down the hills of Meghalaya to the plains of neighouring Morigoan in Assam, carrying huge quantities of home-grown items that he had been exchanging over the years with Thaneswar’s fish, sweets, rice powder and rice cakes. Thansewar and his friend are among those thousands of people from different indigenous tribes of the northeast, particularly from Assam and Meghalaya, who gather for three days in a year, without fail, at the nondescript village of Dayang Belguri in Assam’s Morigaon district, where a community fair believed to have started in the 15th century is still keeping alive world’s oldest trade system – the barter system. Popularly called Joon Beel Mela (joon means moon and beel means wetland, as the fair is held beside a large natural water body shaped like a crescent moon) the fair has been a melting pot of ethnicity with people from different communities of the hills of the northeast meeting the dwellers of the vast plains, exchanging their goods only through barter and strengthening the bond of ethnic bonhomie.

“My friend Dhanidhar, like other hill people, brings for us items that we cannot grow in the plains due to flood and erosion. We get to stock our essentials and need not pay for this. Since they do not get fresh fish and sweets, we catch fish for them and prepare indigenous sweets and exchange with them. There is no money involved, no profit and loss equations, its all about trust and love,” says Thaneswar as he helps Dhanidhar pack up his sacks.

This fair is a legacy of Gova Raja, the Tiwa community king who started this fair where the ground rules of getting any item is that there is no use of money, only barter.

The fair serves purposes beyond trade. The northeast had recently witnessed fierce communal clashes between the Garo and Rabha communities. Moreover, high inflation had hit the poor people of the remote villages like never before. So the barter-driven Joon Beel Mela came as a huge respite. People from different tribes – Rabha, Garo, Tiwa, Karbi, Mishing – enjoyed rubbing shoulders with each others as they participated in cock fight contests and community fishing. For most of these tribes, it is the only chance they get the pile up their year’s stock.

“The price rise has also hit us from the remote villages as we do not have sufficient money to get to the cities and buy required items. The transport, staying and shopping have all become so expensive but here the story has remained the same for decades. I have been coming to this fair since childhood. I have seen my parents exchange goods through barter in this fair. After marriage I have kept the tradition going. It’s also about meeting our friends from the hills. I need not think about inflation at least for three days,” says Rita Rabha.

It’s not just the rural folk who find the mela a boon. This time around the mela also saw a lot of people reaching there with home-cooked food from the cities of Assam to exchange for the hill onions the tribals of Meghalaya bring each year.

“I never thought that in this busy city life that we have I will actually have to buy jungle onions on barter, but the price rise has got us back to ancient traditions,” says Bhabesh Kalita, who came from Guwahati. This one-of-its-kind fair has remained confined to the northeast. “Days ahead of the fair, members of Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi and Jaintia tribes come down from the neighbouring hills with various products. They stay together in fairs, build new relations and exchange their products… Many people across the globe who these day teleshop or book products online might not even be able to think of it. The exchange of goods leads to exchange of ideas and feelings,” says senior journalist Mukut Medhi, who has covered the fair on numerous occasions.

Exchange of ginger, bamboo shoots, turmeric, pumpkin, medicinal herbs, dried fish and indigenous sweets takes place in the backdrop of songs and dancing. The Tiwa Raja inaugurates the fair and also collects tax from the tribals as it used to be decades ago. The Assam government has also chipped in to promote the unique fair. It now gives annual royal allowance for the 19 customary kings from different communities under the erstwhile Gova kingdom of Assam. “This is happening spontaneously. It is so cold here yet the people have come here because this event is all about trust. The old trade systems might not be pertinent these days but the fact remains that here you can see there is no fight over any deal because money is not involved. We wish to carry on the legacy for generations to come,” says Jor Singh Bordoloi, the secretary of the fair organising committee from the Tiwa community.

With traditions getting lost in the rat race of globalisation, the Joon Beel Mela stands as a pointer to how ancient social orders still hold good and keep people knitted together.