Sachana (Gujarat), Mar 26 : A global economic slowdown has hit industries ranging from automakers to investment banks, but in Sachana village of Gujarat, business is at record levels and workers are struggling to meet the demands.

In Sachana, home to the world''s largest ship breaking facility on the coast of Gujarat, as a slowdown in global trade and lower freight rates mean ships are being scrapped faster.

Ahmedabad, Mar 21 : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Gujarat unit president, Jayant Patel, on Saturday said the party has decided to field Bollywood actress Amisha Patel from the Rajkot parliamentary constituency in the general elections.

"I called up Amishaji yesterday and sought her consent. She agreed immediately," Patel said.

The NCP leader said the actress has her roots in Gujarat, which would help to secure victory for the party.

Sanand (Gujarat)/Singur, Mar 21: As Tata Motors is all set to launch Nano, the world''s cheapest car, on Monday, residents in Sanand, where Tata''s new Nano plant is being set up, are upbeat at the prospects.

Residents were excited, looking forward to the jobs it would create.

"The direct benefit of the project is the employment that it will create, but there are several indirect benefits. It will create opportunities for the transport business, hotel industry and all other small businesses will get a fillip," said Ravubha Vaghela, a businessman.

Actor-director Nandita Das' directorial debut ‘Firaaq’, which is scheduled for release in India on March 20, will not be screened in Gujarat's multiplexes.

Gujarat-based multiplex owners association said that their dispute with the distributor over profit sharing was the main reason for not showcasing the movie in the state.

Manubhai Patel, President, All Gujarat Multiplex Association, said, “It’s not clear yet. We have not finalised profit sharing with the distributor. We have to figure out the percentage.”

`RTI on Wheels', a state-of-the-art mobile van has completed one year of its successful functioning. It was launched last year by the Gujarat State Information Commission, Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) and Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP).

`RTI on Wheels' was specifically designed to spread awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) in far-flung areas. The van has various facilities like audio visual aids and internet for organizing video shows and discussions. It also helped people to draft applications, appeals and complaints.

RTI on wheels' has spread among 80,000 people in 450 villages and 13 cities in last one year.

A mobile multi-media van ‘RTI on Wheels’, which was launched to make people aware about the Right to Information (RTI) Act in remote areas, has completed a year in the state on March 17.

The Gujarat State Information Commission, Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) and Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP) jointly launched ‘RTI on Wheels’ in 2008.

In a period of 12-months, RTI on wheels reached about 80,000 people in 450 villages and 13 cities.