Dismissing suggestions that the Rail Budget
was West Bengal-centric, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that those raising the issue are ‘humiliating’ the state and advised journalists not to ask ‘politically manipulative’ questions.
"Do not humiliate (West) Bengal" by parroting it," Banerjee said on being asked whether special attention has been given in the Budget for her home state with an eye on Assembly elections next year. "Your question is totally politically manipulative," she said in an outburst during her post-Budget media briefing.
Banerjee, who was repeatedly interrupted by MPs in the Lok Sabha during her speech, said she cannot “satisfy 800 people (MPs)... I have given wagon industry to Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Guwahati". The maximum number of projects have been given to other states, she said.
However, Banerjee said that West Bengal "cannot be left out from the development" and she has to take up the cause of the state like other ministers do for their home states. "Do you think Bengal should be left out from the development ?" she asked.
The major announcements relating to West Bengal are in regard to expansion of Kolkata Metro Network, port connectivity, proposed introduction of 'Sanskriti Express' to mark 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore as also 'Bharat Tirath' trains. More superfast non-stop 'Duronto' trains would be introduced from the state. Besides, West Bengal figures prominently in other plans like new lines and doublings of tracks.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
womens are still pinky and sparkling
Most men also believe that women go for the pink and glittery gadget over the smarter gadget.
Shubhra Sinha, Managing Director, Marketing Globalization at Cisco says that although she may not necessarily go for pink and glittery gadgets, she definitely likes different colour and skin choices when it comes to gadgets.
Since gadget companies seem to find it difficult to design, produce and market products to women without resorting to stereotypes, their current strategy is that if they are making gadgets for women, it must be pink or sparkly. Vista, a California based company, which was started by two women, says that it has earphones and iPod cases that are available in colors such as Bubble Gum and Pomegranate Purple and studded with Swarovski crystals!
But according to most women, this is one the most ancient stereotypical description of women's interests. "Come on, the new metrosexual man also likes these things, don't they?" responded one gadget freak.
Sangeetha Phalgunan, Managing Director of Serena Software 'completely disagrees.' "I like sleek gadgets in basic black, and those which serve the purpose," says Sangeetha. Hemu Ramaiah, Founder and former CEO of Landmark when asked what she feels about companies coming out with specially designed products for women, replied that it is nothing but a "waste of time for people like her."
Pallavi Arora, Manager, Software Development at Cisco Systems reiterates this when she says, "Pink is a preferred colour for young children and not adults. I would instead like to see someone come up with more women friendly cell phones."
More interestingly, the connection between women and tech gadgets does not end here. Most of the women professionals that Siliconindia spoke to revealed that, not only do they discuss tech products with their colleagues, but they also follow the developments in this by reading reports about the latest releases.
Changing trends
According to a recent study by the NPD Group, women account for 40 percent of consumer-electronics spending. In fact, the Consumer Electronic Show this year featured more products wrapped in aesthetics meant to appeal to women.
Shubhra Sinha, Managing Director, Marketing Globalization at Cisco says that although she may not necessarily go for pink and glittery gadgets, she definitely likes different colour and skin choices when it comes to gadgets.
Since gadget companies seem to find it difficult to design, produce and market products to women without resorting to stereotypes, their current strategy is that if they are making gadgets for women, it must be pink or sparkly. Vista, a California based company, which was started by two women, says that it has earphones and iPod cases that are available in colors such as Bubble Gum and Pomegranate Purple and studded with Swarovski crystals!
But according to most women, this is one the most ancient stereotypical description of women's interests. "Come on, the new metrosexual man also likes these things, don't they?" responded one gadget freak.
Sangeetha Phalgunan, Managing Director of Serena Software 'completely disagrees.' "I like sleek gadgets in basic black, and those which serve the purpose," says Sangeetha. Hemu Ramaiah, Founder and former CEO of Landmark when asked what she feels about companies coming out with specially designed products for women, replied that it is nothing but a "waste of time for people like her."
Pallavi Arora, Manager, Software Development at Cisco Systems reiterates this when she says, "Pink is a preferred colour for young children and not adults. I would instead like to see someone come up with more women friendly cell phones."
More interestingly, the connection between women and tech gadgets does not end here. Most of the women professionals that Siliconindia spoke to revealed that, not only do they discuss tech products with their colleagues, but they also follow the developments in this by reading reports about the latest releases.
Changing trends
According to a recent study by the NPD Group, women account for 40 percent of consumer-electronics spending. In fact, the Consumer Electronic Show this year featured more products wrapped in aesthetics meant to appeal to women.
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