Harley-Davidson to vroom on Indian roads in 2010

The iconic bike manufacturer has established a subsidiary in Gurgaon and has begun the process of seeking dealers. "The company's current approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will continue to evaluate how best to evolve its approach to the market as Harley-Davidson's business in India grows," said the company's president and chief operating officer, Matthew LevatichThe company will focus its initial steps in India on growing the Harley-Davidson brand through a variety of consumer experiences and on establishing a local dealer network. The Harley-Davidson subsidiary in India will be led by managing director Anoop Prakash, who said the company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and in Punjab'As a key next step, we are looking for local dealer partners who share our passion and commitment to building customer relationships, the Harley-Davidson brand and our business in India for the long term,' said Prakash'Given the rapid development of India's economy and physical infrastructure, this is exactly the right time to bring the world's greatest motorcycles to one of the world's largest motorcycling nations,' said Levatich. The cost of its latest model - CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide — in the US is $35,999 (Rs 18 lakh).
It started as a goodwill gesture between India and the US. While US chose to import Alfonso mangoes, India's bike enthusiasts were promised the taste of a legacy. Harley-Davidson bikes will finally make its debut in India in 2010

YS Jaganmohan in YSR's shadow

Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, 37, who is being pushed to succeed his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as Andhra Pradesh chief minister, is a media baron who runs popular the Telugu daily Sakshi and a television channel by the same name.


The state cabinet presided over by K Rosaiah, who was installed as caretaker chief minister Thursday, passed a resolution urging the Congress party's central leadership to let Jaganmohan take over the mantle of the state, though the high command is yet to decide on YSR's successor.


The decision also has a backing of some 100-odd legislators, who have even launched a campaign to put Jaganmohan in the saddle.


There is also an SMS doing the rounds, saying: "When Indira Gandhi expired Rajiv Gandhi was made the prime minister. Why not Jagan be made chief minister now?" The SMS is being circulated by Jaganmohan's supporters.


Jaganmohan Reddy, a first time MP from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, received his early education from Pulivendula--also the place of his birth-- and went on to get a Master's degree in business administration. While in college, he took active part in sports, excelled in cricket and won several shields at various inter-collegiate tournaments.


His supporters argue that by projecting Jaganmohan Reddy as a young entrepreneur and a philanthropist, they could counter the charisma of those cine stars who have either started new political outfits or have been actively campaigning for regional parties. Jaganmohan is married and has a school-going daughter.


Making Jaganmohan the chief minister would be a real tribute to the deceased leader, state Health Minister D Nagender said.


Born on December 21, 1972, Jaganmohan joined the Congress in his young years and was inspired by the late Rajiv Gandhi. He also has a website ysjaganreddy.com, that claims he is an industrialist who sets up factories in remote villages to create employment opportunities for the poor.


There is a groundswell of support for Jaganmohan. While many legislators met Union Minister for law and in-charge of party affairs in the state M. Veerappa Moily and submitted a memorandum to make him the chief minister, some even went to Praja Rajyam Party president K. Chiranjeevi to request him to support Jaganmohan Reddy's candidature.


A group of MPs held a meeting here and decided to place their demand before Congress president Sonia Gandhi.


Some party workers sitting outside Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters in the city, said they would not accept anybody other than YSR's son to head the state government.


YSR was killed in a chopper crash while travelling to Chittoor from Hyderabad in inclement weather Wednesday. The mangled remains of the helicopter and the bodies of the chief minister and four others accompanying him were located on Thursday morning in the Nallamala jungles.

67 die after YSR's(Andhra Chief minster) death

More than 60 people across Andhra Pradesh have died of shock or committed suicide after the death of their chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, prompting his MP son Y S Jagannathan Reddy to appeal to his late father's admirers to be patient and brave.

"I appeal to all of you to be patient and be brave in this hour of tragedy. He (YSR) wanted to see a smile on the faces of all and if you resort to such things (suicide) this will hurt him," said Jaganmohan, trying to hard to control his tears.

"I request you not to commit suicide," said Jaganmohan, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Kadapa in recent elections and is being seen by many as the next chief minister.

The appeal before the camera was telecast on all Telugu television channels.

Telugu television channels estimated that 67 people died of shock on hearing the news of their leader's death in a horrific air crash Thursday or committed suicide, unable to bear the loss. Most of those who died of shock were watching news of YSR's death on television.

This is the first time in the state's history that such a large number of people have died over the death of any political leader.

YSR, as the late leader was popularly known, has surpassed in death the popularity of actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder N.T. Rama Rao who died in 1996.

A large number of those who died of shock included young supporters of YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes launched by him in the last five years. They suffered a cardiac arrest following the news of the chief minister's death in the helicopter crash.

The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state. In the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and four committed suicide.

"YSR dedicated his life to people, I am dedicating my life to him," a youth wrote in his suicide note before consuming pesticide.

A physically handicapped couple, who were getting monthly pension under a welfare scheme, attempted suicide by jumping into the Godavari river but were saved by fishermen.

In Hyderabad, 42-year-old Yadgiri died of shock while watching news of YSR's death on television. M Srinivas, 30, suffered cardiac arrest.