Google makes Rs 62 lakh offer to Kolkata student

MUMBAI: In what is touted to be the first international placement in the 82-year history of Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, an M-Tech student has received an offer of $100,000 (Rs 62.7 lakh) from Google. "This is also the highest salary offered to any of our students till date," says Pradipta Bandyopadhyay, dean of students, ISI.

Payback time: N-deal for US

NEW DELHI: India will put its money where its mouth is. Battling widespread criticism in Washington that it pocketed a game-changing nuclear deal for free, India will sign a "commercial contract" for a small works agreement with Westinghouse, the only US nuclear company with any declared plan to set up nuclear power plants in India. The nuclear contract, for a modest sum of under $100 million, is expected to be signed between NPCIL and Westinghouse during the visit of PM Manmohan Singh to Washington later this month. While the deal is largely symbolic, it's a sign from India that it will try to walk the talk on welcoming nuclear reactors by US companies. They have refused to invest in the Indian nuclear sector because of concerns about India's nuclear liability law. The Indian government has so far maintained the law should not be a deterrent, but there are no takers in US or other countries for that argument. To that extent, this agreement would be seen as a statement of intent by India, certainly a PM who considers the nuclear deal to be his greatest legacy. Quite apart from the nuclear issue, it's clear the Barack Obama administration has taken India off the radar. During the initial discussions on Singh's visit, the White House, said sources, did not even offer a lunch meeting between Singh and Obama. Instead, a lunch with vice-president Joe Biden was put on the table. India refused. It was only later that the US side agreed to a meal to be shared by the two leaders. Last week's appointment of Rakesh Sood, an acknowledged expert nuclear negotiator, as PM's special envoy on nuclear matters is also seen as an effort to roll back the damage. According to PMO insiders, the appointment was made directly by the PM completely bypassing the MEA, which holds the nuclear policy account. The PM's visit will also be in the background of military strikes on Syria, which could have happened by the time he's there or about to happen. Whatever it is, Syria will be top of mind for everyone in DC, not to speak for Obama himself. The visit is important for Singh, who is looking at securing his legacy on the nuclear front. After he pushed the deal through Parliament in 2008, Singh has allowed the nuclear dossier to be preyed on by the atomic energy bureaucracy, effectively killing the deal. In the last year, the India-US relationship has been about bureaucrats on both sides blaming each other, while the relationship ran aground. 

Indian billionaire couple to fund Prince Charles' birthday bash

LONDON: An Indian billionaire couple in the UK are planning a mega birthday bash for Prince Charles when he turns 65 in November.  The London-based entrepreneur-philanthropists Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala will splash out hundreds of thousands of pounds on a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra as part of a champagne reception and dinner at Buckingham Palace in honour of the heir to Britain's throne.  A palace spokesperson confirmed the event would be take place on November 21, a week after the Prince of Wales' birthday on November 14, but added: "It is a private event so we would not comment".  The prince is a patron of the London-based orchestra and the music for the evening will be chosen by the birthday boy himself.  The entire musical set will focus on the celebrated German composer Wagner, whose 200th birth anniversary is being celebrated around the world.  Referred to in high society circles here as part of the Indian "Bollygarch" set, Cyrus Vandrevala is a private equity investor and his wife, Priya, is founder and chairman of the Hirco Group - one of India's largest developers of premium residential real estate.  The couple live in the posh Holland Park area of central London and are involved with a number of charity projects through the Vandrevala Foundation.  They are well known within Britain's royal circles as patrons of the charity Elephant Family, which has been founded by conservationist Mark Shand - the brother of Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall.  The couple are believed to be well acquainted with Charles and Camilla, who have even hosted them at their royal country retreat of Highgrove in Gloucestershire.  "The evening connects with their philanthropic work as the Philharmonia Orchestra supports impoverished performers through its trust", a spokesperson for the Vandrevala Foundation said.  The exclusive black-tie evening in November is open to 250 high-profile guests, expected to include prominent members of the British Indian community as well as friends of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.  Queen Elizabeth II has given her consent for the use of her palace as the venue but it has not been confirmed if she would be dropping in at her son's birthday party as well.