RARING TO GO: Playwright Verma with his mother Ramesh Kumari

Tt's spelled RAWW but pronounced as "RAW". So, if you hear about RAWW, you would be forgiven to infer that we are talking about the Research and Analytical Wing of India. For your information, the new RAWW on the block is Ram Jethmalani's Admirers Worldwide.

The former Indian Union Law Minister is being promoted by a group of Indians and Non-Resident Indians as a perfect candidate to take over as the next president of India. In fact, RAWW members in London and California claim to have resolved to persuade the former minister to contest the presidential election in India during 2002. They have also decided to seek support of all political parties in India, members of Parliament, legislators and many other influential people.

If rumours doing the rounds of the media circles in London are to be believed, another candidate ready and eager to fight for job of the first citizen of India is none other than former Indian high commissioner to the UK, L.M. Singhvi. With campaigners from across the world ready to ensure their idols get elected, the elections should undoubtedly be interesting.

-IB

Tuning into India

RINGING TUNES: Jay Parmar

The mobile market is going through tough times. Many firms in Britain are retrenching people and cutting costs. However, Internet firm Indian Genie has come out with a novel idea to add some zing into the world of mobile users. Be it Bollywood or bhangra, Asians can now use custom-made ring tones and voicemails. Indian Genie chairman Jay Parmar says, "There were numerous ring tones available in the British market-everything from Britney Spears to Crocodile Dundee. However, there was a gap in the market for Indian ring tones, so I thought why not." Now you have anything from Kaho na pyar hai title song to a true Gabbar Singh-ishtyle voicemail. Bhangra hits in the UK are also available on Indian Genie. Now that the news has spread about the Indian ring tones many are calling in asking for particular tunes. For those interested in the old classics, Pakeeja is also available. "We have a good collection of old classics," says Parmar.

-IB

Jewelled Mast

GIFT OF GOLD: Owners of Benzie and the proud recipients with the trophy

For lovers of nautical sports, the high point of the late English summer are the yatching races held at Cowes, Isle of Wight. The jewellers, Benzie of Cowes, famed for their mand-made sporting jewellery donated an impressive trophy to the Royal Yatch Squadron to commemorate the America's Cup Jubilee. It was an exact replica of America, victor of the original race in 1851. Owners of Benzie, Subhash Lodhia and James Wilson Muggoch, presented the trophy at the Benzie Charity Ball.

-Premen Addy

His Father's Son

In his campaign to win over the Indians, Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has one important weapon-his father Wilfred George Gerald Duncan-Smith. "He was born in Madras," Smith reminded top Indians attending the recent who's who dinner in London, "because his father was serving in India." The Conservative leader has found a new friend in "lager king" Karan Bilimoria, head of Cobra Beer in Britain and a strong Tory supporter. This explains why Bilimoria is holding his 40th birthday bash at the Carlton Club, inner sanctum of the Tories.

-AR