The Year 2008 in review

Looking back at a year is no comparison to looking forward. At one side when every up coming year brings new lights of hopes and betterments, passing year leaves up with passed moments to review. This is the 2008 Year in Review.....

Starting with achievements of 2008, the year remained pretty achiving. Indian-born author Arvind Adiga’s debut novel The white tiger won the 50,000 pound Man booker prize for fiction 2008. In another individual honor Infosys mentor R Narayan Murthy was conferred the Legion of Honor, the highest civilian distinction of the government of France.

In cricket Sachin Tendulkar and M S Dhoni achieved milestones. sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to go past 12,000 test runs on October 17th again Australia at Mohali. M S Dhoni was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel ratna and became only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to be given this honor.

Achievement also touched the sky in 2008 as India’s first moon spacecraft Chandrayan-1 was put into transfer orbit around the Earth after blast off from Shrihaikota and the Agni-III missile was test-fired successfully.

Pope Benedict canonized four catholic figures included sister Alphonsa an Indian nun who became the country’s first woman saint.

The year also passed through controversial issues like Tata Nano and Singur, Raj Thakrey’s comments on North Indians and retrenchment of airline employees.

Tata group unveiled its Rs 1 Lakh car christended NANO a dream project of Ratan Tata but Singur issue created disturbance and Ratan Tata announced that Tata Motor was pulling out of the NANO project at Singur, west Bengal as a result of widespreaded opposition on 3rd of October and then tata motors signed a deal with the Gujarat government to set up its Nano factory at Sanand. The first Nano is now likely to roll out from a new location early in 2009.

In another controversy Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thakeray was arrested . A case was registered against Raj Thakeray and MNS activists for their alleged involvement in the attack on north Indian candidates appearing for a recruitment exam conducted by the railways. Raj Thakrey made several incendiary speeches, blaming north Indians migrating to Maharashtra. One person died in the ensuing rioting.

Jet airways sacked more than 19,000 employees, mostly cabin crew, in an effort to cut costs. Air-India announced plans to offer a leave-without pay option to 15,000 employees for a 3-5 year period Though Jet Airways reinstated all retrenched employees later.

The supreme court stay the ban on the students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), overturning the Delhi high court tribunal’s decision.
India shined in Olympic 2008. Abinav Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual gold at the Olympics when he won the 10m air rifle shooting gold at the Beijing Olympics.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar won the bronze meddle in the freestyle 66kg category at the Beijing Olympics at other side Vijender Kumar won Bronz in the middleweight (75kg) boxing

The Year 2008 came up with many new plans and proposals. Taking a look on that One of the major landmarks for India in 2008 was the nuclear deal. This seems to have provided the much needed energy for India. However, the N-deal was mired in controversies. Many said it may make India a puppet in the hands of US.

The Finance ministry announced a ten year income tax holiday to developers of Indus
Trial parks set up between 1 April 2006 and 31st March 2009.

The government declared 2008-09 as Food safety and quality year. PM Manmohan Singh flagged off Kashmir’s first train service from the Nowgam station in Srinagar.

A new law prohibiting smoking at Public places came into effect through the country from 2nd of October.

The Apple iphone 3G was launched in India by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone. The centre announced detailed guidelines for the roll out 3G (Third generation) mobile service that would allow better multimedia service and also quick data and video transfer.

In another news The internet corporation for assigned names and numbers voted in June 2008 to relax rules for naming websites. Going ahead The Government of India launched the ‘e passports scheme’. President Pratibha Patil received the first copy.

The oil and natural Gas corporation (ONGC) Ltd. Inaugurated the first Helium Extraction pilot plan in the country at its Gas collecting station at Kuthalam.

The railway Ministry extended the facility of passengers getting waitlisted e-tickets on all trains.Long time awaited relief package got cleared.The centre announced a relief package worth more than Rs 330 crore for the victims of the 2002 post Godhra riots in Gujarat.

The year 2008 remained a result oriented year at sports front. In cricket India won the under-19 cricket world cup after eight years with a close 12-run victory over South Africa in the final. Rajasthan Royals pull of a last-ball three-wicket victory over Chennai super kings in the final of DLF IPL 20 20 tournament in Mumbai.

With achievements downfall too came in Indian cricket India was bundled out for 76 in the first session of the second test against south Afica at Ahmedabad which was India’s second lowest total ever. Controversy too occurred in a case when the Australian team lodged an official complaint against Harbhajan Singh for allegedly using racially abusive language against Andrew Symonds during the course of the ongoing test match at Sydney in which the ICC banned Harbhajan Singh for three test matches.

Sourav Ganguly announced his retirement from international cricket after the Australia test series.

In other sports and games year Indian sport starts shined with their achievements. Shiv Chowrasia clinched the Emaar MGF Indian Masters golf championship title and receives the single biggest cheque received by an Indian sportsperson in India. Vishwanathan Anand retrained the world championship tile in Bonn, defeating Russia’s Vladimir Kramnic. Saina Nehwal became the first ever Indian woman shuttler to win two grand prix singles titles.

At Business front world wide recession affected the economy. Lay off and cost cutting remained much spread terms. In 2008, the possibility of a global financial crisis was suggested by several important indicators of economic downturn world wide which tend to global inflation.

In big deals, Daiichi announced its takeover of Ranbaxy. The deal was valued at $ 4.6 billion and will enable Daiichi to acquire promoter’s stake of 34 percent. Bombardier Transportation declared to set up a facility for manufacturing and assembling of coaches for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The company acquired over 1.40 lakh square feet of area near Savli in South Gujarat.

In a big news The sixth pay commission recommended an average 40 percent increase in the salary of over 40 lakh central government employees and a doubelling of most of their allowances that would impose a burden of Rs.12,561 crore on the exchequer in 2008-09.

The Union cabinet cleared a proposal allowing a substantial hike in the monthly paycheques of the President and Vice president. While the president’s monthly emoluments will be raised from Rs. 50,000 to Rs.1 Lakh, the vice president will be entitle to get Rs 85,000 a month against Rs.40,000 present.

In new announcement the Finance ministry announced a ten year income tax holiday to developers of Indus trial parks set up between 1 April 2006 and 31st March 2009.

The Rajyasabha gave its nod to the Prasar Bharti Amendment bill 2008. The Bombay High Court sentenced stockbrokers ketan parekh and Hiten Dalal along with five others to one year rigorous imprisonment each in the 1992 security scam case.

The air of Indian politics remained hot as usual in 2008 too.The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government faced its first confidence vote in the Lock Sabha on 22nd July. This was the tenth trust voten taken in parliament so far.

On 6th May 2008, the government introduced the much-delayed constitution Bill,2008, popularly known as the women’s reservation bill, in the Rajya Sabha.

UttarPradesh became the country’s first state to introduce the system of reservation in outsourcing undertaken by the government and semi government agencies.

Chidambaram was appointed as the country’s new home minister after Shivraj Patil resigned owing moral responsibility in Mumbai Terror attack. Maharashtra's CM VilasRao Desmukh also resigned.

2008 has seen a series of terror attacks on various Indian cities. On 26th July a series of Sixteen bomb blasts took place in the space of seventy minutes in Ahmedabad, killing forty five. This was the highest number of blasts to take place in one city in a day.

Surat reeled under a terror threat as eighteen bombs were found in different parts of the city throughout the day, and Serial blasts in Guvahati and other parts of Asaam that killing more than 60.Bombs ripped through the crowded streets of jaipur killing 63. Nine low intensity bombs exploded in Banglore killed one. Five synchronized bomb blasts took place within a few minutes in various locations of Delhi killing 30

Recently Multiple sites in the Indian city of Mumbai were attacked with bombs and gunfire in a coordinated terror attack beginning on November 26, 2008. The attacks killed 179 people, including at least 22 foreigners. Over 300 injuries were reported. The last gunmen were cleared out of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on Saturday morning, November 29, as firefighters continued work putting out blazes on the first few stories. A previously unknown group called the Deccan Mujahiddin claimed responsibility for the attack via email.

Taking a look on highlights of big international events, On 4th November 2008, the USA held its 56th quadrennial presidential election to elect its 44th president. Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John Mcccain to become a new US president. Obama created history by becoming the first African-American to become president of the USA.

A general election was finally held in Pakistan on 18th February 2008 where Musharraf resigned and Asif Ali Zardari was elected president of Pakistan.
On 28 May 2008, Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic, ending the 240 year old monarchy.

In another calamities 2.7 million people were reported affected as the Kosi river broke its embankment at Kusaha in Nepal and India. PM Manmohan Singh declared Bihar flood a national calamity.people are killed in a stampede at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh.
The film industry which is reeling under recession saw a year of small wonders in Bollywood with low cost films by young directors ringing the cash counters, while big budget films with star-studded cast bombing despite the hype. Taking off from last year, 2008 also saw a variety of small budget films sans star power raking up good moolah.The trend started with 'Jannat' followed by 'Aamir', 'A Wednesday', 'Rock On', 'Welcome to Sajjanpur'. They drew in the audience on basis of a varied story line and content. Even horror flicks, Vikaram Bhatt's '1920' and Ram Gopal Varma's horrendous 'Phoonk' managed satisfactory sales.
Big budgeted and much hyped movies like 'Tashan', 'Love Story 2050', 'Drona', 'Yuvraj', 'Heroes' bit the dust while Shah Rukh Khan's 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' fared below expectations. The year will sign off with Aamir Khan's 'Ghajini' which has already generated a huge buzz with the actor's new eight pack abs.
At small screen FWICE decided to resort to non-cooperation to ensure better wages, work conditions for its 150,000 odd members. The strike affected all 22 crafts including actors, technicians and musicians. The strike that begun on November 9, had been the worst ever TV strike to effect all those involved as the serials ran out of the bank episodes and what followed on Indian TV was a two week long repeat telecast of all the shows but finally the show started going on and just like cinema in real world too the show must go on…

Time never stops. The year 2008 is about to leave and a new sun rise of 2009 is saying

Another fresh new year is here...

Another year to live!To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given meTo live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to beMy highest and my best!

I have the opportunityOnce more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,And sing more joyful songs!”

The year 2009 here we come… We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called HOPE and its first chapter is "New year's Day."