Maruti Suzuki to phase out M-800 from 13 cities

There was a mad scramble, and it was Harpal Singh of Delhi who bought the first one and drove into history. His keys were handed over to him by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on December 14, 1983. Will there be a scramble to own the last?

The Maruti 800, which changed the Indian concept of cars, will be phased out from 13 cities where Bharat Stage-IV emissions norms are going to be operational from April 1. The beginning of the end of a tale of not just success, but aspiration and social change.

For the little wonder, when launched, was the first "people's car." Those that had aspired to own two-wheelers only, could buy a Maruti 800 at Rs 52,000. Today, 26 years later, you could get one for Rs 1,85,715.

But back then, it was not just a middle class revolution. It took no time for the snazzy 796cc car to become a status symbol and the ultimate ride was one in a bright red Maruti 800.

Over 25 lakh Maruti 800s have been sold, with an average 100,000 cars being produced every year. Till the Maruti Alto was launched, the 800 was the best-selling car in India. It is also second only to the sturdy Ambassador in the number of years it has been in production.

On Friday, Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava said that the company had no plans to upgrade the car to the Bharat Stage-IV standard. "I don't think we have any plan to make the M-800 BS-IV compliant," he said, announcing curtains for India's most successful car ever.

While 13 cities, including the metros, will come under Bharat Stage-IV emissions norms from April 1 this year, other Indian cities too will follow in the next few years.

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Shillong to have 'Family Graveyard'

Shillong, Feb 12 (ANI): The authorities of the Nongthymmai Divine Saviour Parish cemetery here have put forward a solution to have a 'Family Graveyard' in an attempt to avoid the rapidly depleting burial space in the cemetery and create more burial space for the dead.

Family Graveyard is a morgue-like room with several rows of cubicles to hold the remains of the deceased. Each cubicle will be given to a family to put the remains of their dead.


This initiative of the Nongthymmai cemetery has found favour among the locals.

D M Mawrie, a local, said, "When they (people) will die, that means we will have to bury our people in the same place. We don't need to find another place to bury them. There is a lot of population in our church; we don't have any place to bury them."

"It was one of the biggest problems we faced. So, family graveyard will help our people," added Mawrie.

The locals had initially raised objections and questioned the move to create a 'Family Graveyard', but now they are in favour of it.

Father Devasia, Parish Priest (Divine Saviour Parish) said, "I was almost worried when they (people) will die, where will they get a burial? They went around looking for a place outside the city. Then I told my community members and others, this is too difficult."

"Imagine a poor family: they will have to pay money to transport the body to other places. It will cost them hell lot of money. So I suggested them to reuse the land," added Father Devasia.

Father Devasia further said that it would take three days to complete a burial ceremony due to the time taken to dig a grave.

But with the 'Family Graveyard', it would take around fifteen minutes to refurbish the graves for burying the new body," added Father Devasia.

Currently, the graveyard holds 240 cubicles. (ANI)

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Tight security for Shah Rukh Khan film release

A Bollywood film featuring star Shah Rukh Khan has opened amid tight security in at least one cinema in the Indian city of Mumbai.

More than 1,800 people have been arrested at protests against My Name is Khan, which will be shown at 63 venues.

Khan angered the hardline Hindu party, Shiv Sena, by saying he regretted that no Pakistani cricketers had been picked for next month's Indian Premier League.

Two small cinemas have already been attacked in Mumbai and posters burned.

The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in Mumbai who visited a popular multiplex in the city's Bandra area says there is heavy security and shows of all movies have been suspended there.

The authorities have announced that 21,000 police officers will be deployed to protect cinemagoers, frisking patrons before entering. Night-vision cameras may also be used to spot troublemakers inside.

Senior police official Himanshu Roy said more security would be provided if necessary.

Despite the promise of protection, a number of cinema chains stopped taking advance bookings for My Name is Khan this week.

One cinema-goer in Mumbai told the AFP news agency that she found the controversy over Khan "alarming and disturbing".

"I'm not going to be deterred by these kind of threats," said the woman, who asked not to be named.

Khan, part-owner of Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, spoke out last month after no players from Pakistan were selected for the IPL Twenty20 competition.

The 44-year-old Muslim has stood firm over his remarks, but apologised to his collaborators in My Name is Khan.
"I request everybody to leave the film alone and deal with what I have said as an individual," he told reporters in London last week.

In the film, Khan plays a Muslim with Asperger's syndrome whose life in the US changes after the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Shiv Sena, a regional party which backs the cause of local Hindus in Maharashtra state, has pledged to continue its protests.

The organisation, often described as anti-Muslim, regards itself as a defender of what it sees as traditional Hindu moral values.

Khan is one of the biggest stars of India's film industry and has hosted the local version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

The eight-team IPL Twenty20 competition starts on 12 March and is staged over 45 days.

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