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Updates - 7 July 2000 5-year-old Indian as world's youngest programmer? (Times of India) Faster Growth for Indian software exports (Reuters) India tests surface-to-air missile (Akash) again (Press Trust of India) India and Israel join forces (BBC) India and EU (European Union) strengthen links (BBC) Rupert Murdoch buys 15% interest in India's ITspace.com (CNN) 5-year-old
seeks to enter Guinness book Young Ms. Bhupika Yashpal Gautam (6), a standard one student in Kalyan, is seeking a place in the Guinness book of records as the world's youngest computer wizard. Currently, the book lists Sonali Pandya of the UK as the world's youngest computer programmer. Sonali achieved the feat at eight years and two months. An acknowledged whiz kid at her school, Bhupika has passed the Maharashtra state board's computer programmer's examination with a first class and is trying to enter her name in the record book. Bhupika appeared for the examination in July 1999 at five years and 11 months. The results were declared on June 7, 2000. She passed the 11 papers, including the practicals and theory in languages like `C', Unix, Foxpro, Lotus and Wordstar and questions on computer hardware, architecture and system analysis usually reserved for those above 18 years. Bhupika's father Yashpal says it was difficult to convince the state education department officials to get permission for his daughter to take the examination, open only to those who pass the high school. She was, however, allowed to take the exam, said he, since Bhupika was already recognised as a computer wizard by her school. The Rotary club and Kalyan Dombivili municipal corporation had honoured her at public functions and she had received a letter of appreciation from Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. She was also listed in the Limka Book of Records for having passed the certification course in DTP operation at two years and eleven months. She did that course from a local computer training academy. The little girl is now armed with a certificate recognised by the state government, which the Guinness authorities ask for. Yashpal said he expected that the government would help in pushing Bhupika's case ahead. ``If proper recommendations are given from the government level, it will work out with the Guinness authorities,'' he said. His daughter, he said, was attracted to computer ever since he bought a PC in 1996. He recalled an incident after he applied for the Internet connection in Bhupika's name last year. The VSNL authorities had called him up. ``Are you joking or serious?'' they had asked. (UNI) Faster
growth seen for software exports NASSCOM said Indian firms exports in April and May totalled about $920 million and were on target to reach $6.3 billion in the year 2000-2001. That would be an impressive 58% increase over this year's $3.9 billion exports. Indian IT firms are also expected to make acquisitions of over $5 billion in the next 12 months. India
tests surface-to-air missile (Akash) again India tested its short-range Akash surface-to-air missile on Saturday for the second time in a week at Chandipur-on-Sea on the Bay of Bengal coast. The test was carried out without any warhead. PTI said Akash has a capacity to deliver 55 kg (121 pounds) of both conventional and nuclear explosives and a range of 25 km (15 miles). The missile, which uses the integrated two-stage Ramjet propulsion technology, has the capacity to strike several targets simultaneously. Compared with USA’s Patriot missile, Akash is part of India's integrated guidance missile development programme (launched in 1983), which includes an intermediate range ballistic missile, Agni, the surface-to-surface Prithvi missile, the shorter range Trishul missile and the anti-tank Nag missile India
and Israel join forces Defence ties have been gradually developing India and Israel have sealed burgeoning ties with an agreement to set up a joint commission to combat terrorism. Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh agreed with his Israeli counterpart David Levy to meet every six months for strategic discussions. Recent trade figures between the two countries show that business increased by almost 50% last year and just two months ago the first Indian trade show in Israel was held in Tel Aviv. Defence ties, while less publicised, are a key aspect of the relationship between the two nations. The Indian Embassy in Israel has insisted that Mr Singh's visit would not focus on defence - but analysts say that military collaboration between India and Israel is increasing. In April, Delhi announced that it planned to buy Israeli military technology to help strengthen its defences along the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Mr Levy denied Israeli press reports that the US had asked Tel Aviv to cancel the sale of radar equipment to India. India
and EU (European Union) strengthen links India and the European Union have ended their first-ever summit meeting, which was dominated by issues of trade and international security. The BBC correspondent covering the summit says that, while there were no major breakthroughs, the two sides did sign a joint declaration on future cooperation. A second summit will be held next year in India. Rupert
Murdoch's News Corp. buys 15% interest in ITspace.com Indian technology portal ITspace.com said Wednesday that media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd. has bought a 15 percent stake in the portal. Earlier Wednesday, India's Financial Express reported that Star Television, the Hong Kong-based unit of News Corp., had acquired up to 15 percent of ITspace.com. But the Bangalore firm said the investment was by the parent. No financial details were provided. The portal was set up by Microland Group, which has a strong background in network computing. ITspace.com is targeted at India's information technology professionals and aims to create an online community of technology professionals, vendors and users by providing technology content and e-commerce. "The investment in ITspace.com will provide us with resources for further promoting and building the site," Microland Group Chairman Pradeep Kar said. "We will invest in infrastructure, brand building and promotional activities to increase our salience," Kar said. He said ITspace.com will introduce several new channels and services such as shopping, e-mail and a technology resource directory over the next few months. Lalit Ahuja, chief executive for new media, convergence and IT (information technology) ventures at News Television India Ltd., said News Corp. invested in the portal because it had great faith in the start-up's management team. News Television India is the Indian subsidiary of Hong Kong's Star TV. The Financial Express said Star TV has earmarked $100 million for equity investments in Indian Internet companies. Star TV has invested an unspecified amount in bazee.com, an Indian Internet auction site while its parent News Corp. has invested an undisclosed amount in Indya.com, a consumer media portal launched by Microland.
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