BMW is ready to bring their Crossover SUV, the new BMW X3 to the Indian car market to take on the Audi Q5 and the yet to be launched Mercedes Benz GLK. The launch event is dated for 25th August 2011. BMW can look at a pricing of Rs 42.2 lakhs, and gives BMW X3 buyers the freedom to choose between X3 diesel and petrol variants.

BMW X3 petrol will be powered by a xDrive25i with a 2.5 liter engine capacity registering 206 hp and 246 Nm (181 lb.ft) of torque. The vehicle will go from 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds, and will reach top speed of 210 km/h.

The turbo xDrive20d diesel engine has a 2 liter displacement capacity. The diesel engine will produce 176 hp and 350Nm (258 lb.ft) of torque. The car will go from 0-100 km/h within 10 seconds and will see top speed of 200 km/h. The new BMW X3 diesel is expected to drive in volumes for the company.

A relatively newer entrant in the vast gadgets market, and you would expect some nice products from them, but no, this happens to be HCL – and they simply don’t care.

Bad online shopping experience – Seems they are using a decade old online shopping system, which supports only a specific number of characters per field such as Address etc. Please note that I have used the same address on eBay and other online shops without any issues whatsoever. The worst part is that it does not even show any notification that you have exceeded your character limit. So, after you are done with the shopping and all, the courier agency gets only half the address and keeps searching for my home all around the city. I get a hundred calls, and even the HCL guys don’t have a clue cause they too have only the half address. I think Govt. of India should start issuing an online seller’s permit/ license so that users won’t have to go through such nightmare.

Terrible product – the on-screen QWERTY keyboard is like a puzzle, you press R and what you get on screen is E or T, but rarely R, same with all other alphabets and buttons. There is a screen calibration option, but there was no improvement even after calibrating the screen with all the fancy dots and circles. Pathetic. The only solution is to remember what’s displayed when a certain key is pressed, and try to do the opposite to get the desired result. For example, if you press R and you get T most of the times then you have to press T if you want R. Just keep on trying, and finally you will become an expert at it. Thanks to HCL.

This wasn’t the only issue. Felt like throwing the HCL ME tablet in the gutter when I noticed that you have to remove and re-insert the memory card to make it work. Every time you start the tablet, you need to remove and re-insert the memory card or else it just doesn’t show up on the system. Somebody please shoot Shiv Nadar. The list of bugs is endless, system crash, screen freezes, auto-rotate issues, touch screen issues, limited applications; it just goes on and on…

Worst Customer Service – I called up customer service and asked them about the memory card issue. Here’s what I got as a reply – “Sir, it’s a removable drive, so naturally it will not mount on its own, it is the case with every tablet in the market, you have to remove and re-insert it every time you boot up. Is there anything else we can do for you?”

So that’s it guys, hope you will not be a fool like me and buy HCL products, especially the HCL ME Tablet AE7-A1.

Currently using the HCL ME tablet as a paperweight. Thanks again HCL!!!

If you speak not for argument’s sake, then Bengal is an excellent pick because most already say they’re from Bengal. However, formally dropping the ‘West’ would be a tad bit tacky. There is a reason it’s West Bengal, ‘poshchim banga.’ When India was partitioned, apart from murder, plundering, personal gains, emotional drainout and hypocrisy, land too was divided as never before.

Bengal was divided based on what was termed as religious preference, which obviously was a messed up judgment. Anyways, they did separate the seemingly largish Bengal into East Bengal, and West Bengal. And for anyone who thought that all damage happened in our northern frontier, truth is the exodus resultant of the’ Partition of Bengal’ has been the greatest human history. Two important words here, Human, and history, both of which some people care two hoots about.

Moving on, West Bengal came to India and East Bengal went to Pakistan. It was later called East Pakistan, and then there was the 1971 war and East Pakistan chose to sign the ‘Instrument of Surrender’, and it ended a short war. They chose to be called ‘Bangladesh’, quite literally the ‘Country of Bengal’. Now you see, we may eat the west from Bengal but that wouldn’t change facts. The entire length and breadth of West Bengal and Bangladesh is what deserved to be called, Bengal, Vanga, Banga or Bangla. When we say Bengal, we already make a reference to erstwhile Bengal because quite honestly we have made deliberate attempts to keep tension out. As a rule of thumb we all adapt, so they speak ‘Bangal’ in Bangladesh, and ‘Bangla’ in West Bengal.

Banga is easily understandable as a sanskritized version of the name Bengal. There has always been two distinct literary variations of the Bengali language (bhasa), namely Shadhu bhasha and Cholit bhasha. The sanskritized version is not limited to sadhus but is certainly more difficult than the cholit lingo which can loosely be referred to as what’s accepted, what challofies, and almost everyone speaks this way.

Thing is if Rawdon Street can be Sarojini Naidu Sarani, and Loudon Street switches to U N Bramhachari Sarani, while Esplanade changes to Dharamtala, anything can happen. They took a long list of meaningful street names and found apt regional names. Bengal by itself may suddenly seem too Brit for some since they got rid of all English street names. For laugh’s sake, imagine saying, I’m from Bongo. Bangla has always been a reference to the language but can mean the state as well. So, you can drop some, add some, and get placed towards the top of the Indian state’s list and be heard earlier if that helps improve things.

A Hyundai Motors(HMIL) spokesperson recently made it known that the company was all set to boost production of their luxury sedan, the Verna.  The company has seen an increase in demand as they have received bookings of over 20,000 units from various dealers across India. The new Verna was launched this May and is in the price range of Rs. 6, 99 to Rs. 11 lakhs.

This new fluidic wonder is available in 1.4 and 1.6 liter capacities as petrol., and diesel engine variants. In response to increased demand, Mr. Arvind Saxena, Director of Marketing and Sales for HMIL said that production will be geared up and they hoped that this would take care of current bookings, and also reduce the period for future booking.

At present, Hyundai Motors Limited presents seven passenger cars.  Accent, Verna, Santro, i10 and 120, Santa Fe and Sonata Transformer, all of which have recorded favorable sales figures while boosting company reputation in the Indian car market.

If you are a Sachin fan, and wish to hurt your sentiments purposefully, though that’s not my intent, feel free. I love Michael Schumacher(in this story, I love him even more). In fact, I love Shcumi from the days of watching F1 on Doordarshan on big boxes, also known as TV’s. Year after year, the cars zipped by on screen, and I watched. There was no internet then, and I’m a self taught F1 fan. At the start it didn’t even make sense, who won, what was the car a driver drove, or in fact what was the driver’s name, but in a few years I knew all about Schumacher, and Ferrari.

Now, I didn’t ever want to know about Sachin, but he’s always in news, so, I accept he’s very popular. He also has many records and ad deals, so, obviously he has a lot of money and that establishes that he didn’t sell the Ferrari because he was cash strapped. Also, I believe he has not lost his mind, so, this is not an act of insanity. Appears, it’s a parking issue. Fair enough because he just doesn’t have place to park the Ferrari considering he has to arrange parking space for 40 cars. Tough spot.

This poor Ferrari didn’t almost make it to India because of customs duty imposed on it which wasn’t to be waived off because the car was received as a gift, and not a prize.The Ferrari 360 Modena finally did come to India a year later, and Sachin didn’t have to pay customs duty. The car stands testimony to many greats which can simply be summed as ‘a gift from Ferrari to Sachin Tendulkar when he equaled Don Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries, with Michael Schumacher handing over the Ferrari 360 Modena to the batsman. Did you spot the greatness of the moment?

So, What’s the moral of the story?
Well, this one has no moral, it’s plain disrespectful.

In a bid to make data accessible and information more transparent and available to the general public of India, the government is coming out with the launch of a new portal titled Data.gov.in.  This portal is likely to be inaugurated in July 2011.  It is a way of getting all required information, right from government transactions, government policies and procedures, maps, natural resources, right to weather conditions and will also include architectural sites and cultural and historical locations in India.

The public will find that through this portal, all government data is an open book to all non-classified government related information.  Hard copies can be accessed later through various government offices.

Based on a similar portal set up in the U.S. by Chief Information Officer Mr. Vivek Kundra, called Data.gov.us, this project is one that Indian citizens have been looking forward to and with easy access will be party to all kinds of govt. data required by citizens of India.

Websites do more than transfer information and images today. They are empowered with technology to be more client and end user friendly and specific. And one mode of empowerment is jQuery. Like every other site enriching resource, this one too comes with certain strengths. This cross-browser tool aides HTML maneuverability; and how does it work?
Well, it operates like a JavaScript library and is deployed to make the use and scripting of HTML codes very, very convenient. The tool is in use as an effective SEO strategy since 2006. Online resources make the jQuery open source software available for free. It helps though to look out for sources that offer jQuery with licenses from:
•    MIT
•    GNU

jQuery dependability for easy SEO implementation

This tool has a number of uses that an online entrepreneur or SEO expert can bank on. These include:
•    Easy navigation within the system
•    Ability to select DOM
•    High quality animation
•    Detailed and versatile organizing of events
•    Complete in house development of Ajax applications (end user)
•    Easy plugin maneuverability
•    Creation of animation abstractions
•    Deployment of advanced widgets
•    Ability to take on any theme

These are just a few benefits to name. The end user jQuery deal is making SEO easy and industry specific. As a result of deploying the open source software, you get SEO empowered dynamic web pages. Today, the software is being appreciated in all earnest and the fact that the jQuery rostrum is being used by the likes of Microsoft, Nokia and MediaWiki speaks volumes about the reputation, compatibility and hardiness of the software.

Upgrade to jQuery for search engine optimization strategies

If you are only just embarking on using search engine optimization strategies to make your website more visible, it is the best time to upgrade with jQuery. It helps your navigation tools to upgrade instantly and keeps them in top brass condition. To give your site the kind of visibility you desire, you have to ensure that all the possible industry specific and latest SEO tools are deployed and the strategies are in place. Incorporation of jQuery adds versatility to your site and displays the wonders of an elaborate menu system.

You can use this state of the art but simplistic software to offer your clients and investors a glimpse of business intent and potential to meet new age demands. jQuery is the latest in sophisticated technology, designed for upscale navigation systems. The online menu creator is simply awesome. Users are already exploring jQuery’s ability to further enhance features such as:

•    Visual Studio
•    ASP.NET AJAX
•    MVC rostrums
•    Web Run Time widget
•    Sizzle
•    DOM modification
•    CSS manipulation
•    Plugins

The cross-browser support adds a lot of versatility to your already existent or brand new website menu, with technology that handles the intricacies of html, vertical dropdown, horizontal drop down, and even tabbed menu stylization. All this makes navigation advantageous in structure and design. The ingrained Javascript makes your website very SEO friendly and ultimately profitable for you. The open source software is a very convenient package of SEO solutions for any site design.

Volvo is in process of adding to their existing models and future plans work on the back of the Xc60 and S60 cars in regards to volume generation for Volvo. It is the Volvo XC90 which is what the company is all excited about.  Due to its failing popularity, Volvo has decided to give it a makeover in the months to come.

The company is in process of working on a new model of the XC90 SUV.  Mr. Doug Speck, Chief Executive Officer of Volvo North America spoke at an interview and established the fact.  Although no actual dates of launch were declared, Mr. Speck added that XC90 did contribute to company’s volumes.

Swedish auto manufacturers have not revealed any more details regarding new models or research and development that the company was in process of doing, but there is a possibility of XC90 being redesigned and given a new look in order to fit in the scheme of things.  One will just have to await further details from Volvo in this respect.

Champions League 2011 Quarter-finals : 5-6 April 2011, 1st leg

5 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Real Madrid(home) vs Tottenham Hotspur

Big night for Real fans, everyone went home grinning. With 3 English teams in the quarter finals, Tottenham certainly had the least credentials to show off at this level of the game. They’ve had a brilliant run until now, but it seems this is it. It’s the start to many more big games but in regards to Champions League 2011, this is the best they could have done. Tottenham conceded a goal in the first 5 and saw Peter Crouch depart because of a red card in the 15th minute. That was it. A doomed start. One can always come back, but not tonight.

Real Madrid (home) 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur

With no away goals to boast of, Tottenham really is on the backfoot. The only thing to look forward to would be to watch Tottenham score at least 1 or 2 goals at home next week. For those who weren’t sure about Adebayor scoring, he struck big. Real Madrid did nothing wrong on their big night. D.Maria, and Christiano Ronaldo found the back of the net too.

Goals, yellow cards, and red cards for 5 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Real Madrid(home) vs Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid

4′    [1 - 0]    E.S. Adebayor     Goal
12′        E.S. Adebayor     yellow card
36′        Pepe         yellow card
57′    [2 - 0]    E.S. Adebayor     Goal
72′    [3 - 0]    A.D. Maria     Goal
87′    [4 - 0]    C. Ronaldo      Goal

Tottenham Hotspur

8′      P. Crouch               yellow card
15′     P. Crouch               2nd yellow card= Red card
20′    R.v.d. Vaart            yellow card
74′    J. Defoe                yellow card

5 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Inter Milan (home) vs FC Schalke

Are you serious? What just happened? Okay, who in their right mind would have thought that FC Schalke was going to literally clobber Inter Milan at home? Anyone?

Honestly, Inter Milan is already out of contention for the Champions League 2011 title. What can they do? Can they change anything next Wednesday? I certainly have little hope even if  Inter made strategic or tactical changes. The game is gone from their hands, and the last thing I’d want to see is meaningless fouls in a desperate bid to advance.

Inter Milan (home) 2 -5 FC Schalke

Milan was left with a 10 man squad with Chivu being shown 2 yellow cards. Schalke fans would have certainly rejoiced with Raul scoring. Despite an early start, Inter Milan simply couldn’t hold on to their lead, and that could have made all the difference tonight.

Goals, yellow cards, and red cards for 5 April 2011 Quarter-finals= Inter Milan (home) vs FC Schalke.

Inter Milan

1′    [1 - 0]    D. Stankovic     Goal
13′        D. Stankovic     yellow card
34′    [2 - 1]    D. Milito     Goal
53′    [2 - 3]    C. Chivu     yellow card
62′        C. Chivu     2nd yellow card=red card

FC Schalke

17′    [1 - 1]    J. Matip     Goal
40′    [2 - 2]    Edu             Goal
45′        J. Farfan     yellow card
53′    [2 - 3]    Raul            Goal
57′    [2 - 4]    A. Ranocchia    (o.g.)
61′        H. Sarpei     yellow card
68′        K. Papadopoulos yellow card
75′    [2 - 5]    Edu             Goal
85′        Raul             yellow card

6 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Barcelona (home) vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk

This one was never going down to the wire. Everyone quite simply knew Barcelona would win at home. What was exciting was how many goals would the score. On that front, they may have disappointed. Barca fans may certainly have hoped for more goals at home. FC Shakhtar Donetsk never stood a real chance even before the game began, and certainly not when they were playing. It’s brilliant they came this far, and we hope to see more of them.

Barcelona (home) 5 – 1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Seems like everyone wanted a goal, so, it was wonderful to see so many Barca players give it a go. Shakhtar can take pride in the fact that they did get an way goal, which really is a great feat even in the face of those 5 goals staring at them. They simply need to play good football at home next week, and there job’s done. What is left to be seen is how many goals Barca can score in the 2nd leg.

Goals, yellow cards and red cards for Champions League 6 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Barcelona (home) vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Bacelona

2′    [1 - 0]    A. Iniesta         Goal
34′    [2 - 0]    D. Alves         Goal
53′    [3 - 0]    G. Piqué         Goal
59′    [3 - 1]    A. Iniesta     Yellow card
60′    [4 - 1]    S. Keita         Goal
86′    [5 - 1]    X. Hernandez     Goal

Shakhtar Donetsk

51′            R. Rat  Yellow card
59′    [3 - 1]    Y. Rakitskiy     Goal
66′            Y. Rakitskiy     Yellow card
77′            Fernandinho Yellow card

6 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Chelsea(home) vs Manchester United

Some days, just 1 goal is enough to bring about the winner, and that’s just what Manchester United achieved. Having lost a spate of games to Chelsea at home ground, Man Utd must have certainly gone into the game on the back foot. Popular for having conceded goals just around half time, Manchester United almost suffered the same fate but Van Der Sar dived for his life on this day. That one great goal from Rooney on Giggs’s exceptionally clean pass saw the Red Devil’s smile at half time.

Chelsea ( home) 0-1 Manchester United

The 1 goal lead was all they needed. As many times as Chelsea struck, the much needed goal eluded them.  Lot is being said about Evra’s foul and the red card and penalty that Chelsea deserved, but football isn’t always about 100% correct decisions. Nothing went down the wire, and though it was just the matter of 1 goal, Chelsea took a beating and never got that goal. And yes, Torres did try.

Goals, yellow cards and red cards for Champions League 6 April 2011 – Quarter-finals Chelsea (home) vs. Manchester United.

Manchester United

24′    [0 - 1]        W. Rooney     Goal
74′            N. Vidic     yellow card
80′            E.v.d. Sar     yellow card

Chelsea

36′        Y. Zhirkov         yellow card
60′        Ramires          yellow card
66′        M. Essien         yellow card
90′        F. Torres         yellow card

Quarter-finals : 12-13 April 2011, 2nd leg

Semi-finals : 26-27 April 2011

Semi-finals : 3-4 May 2011

Final : 28 May 2011, Wembley

I’m a Manchester United fan, so we’ll just look at that angle. If Manchester United gets through t0 the 2011 Champions League final, we play away at Wembley, very Ironical. What’s worse is that if we follow recent trends, the Theater of Dreams won’t see Manchester United victorious, simply based on stats this past decade.

Dear Mahindra & Mahindra,
Please stop using such elaborate full page ads on TOI in the name of advertising. It’s a fad, and it isn’t really going to work, and is a serious wastage of paper. In theory, Mahindra & Mahindra sold 33,378 cars in February 2011 and 31,967 cars in February 2010.
You chose to keep the Logan going but a lot of people have lost confidence in the vehicle but who knows it may work for you. It’s the only sedan you have, so, really work on it.
The Mahindra Xylo has the worst advertisement content. Not too many people in India have freelance jobs like Atul Kasbekar and need a MUV. The long legged ladies would any day prefer a suave sedan and not an MUV. If it’s a CRV, then yes because it looks great. Women love beautiful things, and the Mahindra Xylo isn’t very attractive. The men mostly need a car to get to work so this MUV doesn’t cater to everyone.

For some reason, I’ve always seen political flags stick out from a Mahindra Scorpio, when driving on national highways. As such, I’m very fearful of them and believe that they are attractive to certain quarters, and socio-economic segments. It’s also used as a rally car but I’m not rallying.
The Bolero is just biggish, and really looks like a big rectangular box on wheels. Of course, it’s been spotted ferrying people through because it’s huge, so, even if not an official taxi cab, it does get people to places especially when they aren’t in the middle of a big city.

You’re selling a whole range of three wheelers, and the transport guys are busy going where they have to, and aren’t reading TOI. So, why have you blocked the newspaper? You need to employ a range of advertisement techniques for varying customer bases. Whatever you aim to attain with these block ads isn’t really happening if you intend to acquire potential buyers.
Dear Newspaper,
Instead of making so much money, you could have done a free full page ad for relief for Japan.

Please take note: This is my personal opinion because I hate wasting paper, and I think I have a small idea about what’s going on in the auto industry. Any statistical mistakes will be corrected if suggested by a dependable source.