[Investors Please Listen] [INDIA GROWTH STORY] ‘Meltdown an opportunity for India, Africa to deepen ties’

NEW DELHI - The current economic crisis could be a blessing in disguise for both India and Africa, according to Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

'The current crisis is an opportunity for both India and Africa,' Sharma said here Tuesday at the valedictory session of the two-day CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa project partnership.

India-Africa trade volume has increased seven-fold in the last six years from $5 billion in 2001-02 to $36 billion in 2007-08. But it was still far less than the potential, with only 8 percent of Indian exports destined for Africa, Sharma said.

India has signed trade agreements with 30 African countries, the minister said, adding that it was also exploring the possibility of comprehensive trade pacts with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), comprising Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi.

The minister added that one of India's focus areas in the future cooperation would be capacity-building in Africa through educational and skill-building programmes.

Besides, India's pharmaceuticals industry could play a crucial role in coping with the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the continent.

Indian companies are already active in the drug market in Africa and the generic drugs have drastically brought down the prices of essential drugs over there, Sharma said.

A generic drug is a drug that is produced and distributed without patent protection.

He, however, warned that multinational companies were trying to pressurise countries to expand the definition of generic drugs beyond the scope of TRIPS agreement.

'The concept of generic must not be mistaken with counterfeit or pirated,' said Sharma.

The minister further stressed the importance of having enhanced cooperation between India and Africa at various multi-lateral forums.

The pan-African e-network project is an example of 'south-south cooperation', he said.

India's ambitious e-network project, which aims to link leading universities and hospitals in the country with their counterparts in 11 African nations via satellite was launched earlier this month.

'The 21st century should be one of a resurgent India and a vibrant and confident Africa,' he said.

Sharma added that both will 'try to learn from each other', with India ready to 'continue to strengthen its engagement'.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of the organisers of the event, and the Comesa signed an agreement for technical cooperation in the presence of the minister.

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The Nano will be launched Today, 23rd March, 2009.

The car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual's preferences.

Stylish, comfortable
- Designed with a family in mind, the Nano has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room.
- Can comfortably seat four persons. Four doors with high seating position make ingress and egress easy.
- With a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, with adequate ground clearance, it can effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas.
- Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.

Why Nano?

The name 'Nano' was chosen as it denotes high technology and small size.

Most eagerly waited car

People world over were keen to see what Tata Motors' People's Car looked like, and know more about it. The Tata Motors website saw nearly 7.9 million hits on January 10 (the day the Nano was unveiled), while the Tata Nano website saw 4 million hits in 30 hours, making these sites among the busiest in the world.
The Nano website (www.tatanano.com) was developed within a short timeframe of 1.5 months and with limited resources.
The entire portal has been built on open source technologies, involving minimum investment, following the essence of the Nano - low cost, but high technology.

Fuel-efficient engine
- The Nano has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft.
- The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency.
- Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.
Meets all safety requirements
- The Nano's safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body.
- Tubeless tyres further enhance safety.

Environment-friendly
- The Nano's tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today.

- The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint.

Source: http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com

 

For further details or clarification please contact us at: (Phone No. 0-9818269396) or Email @ investorspleaselisten@in.com

Nano launches Monday, but wait not over yet

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Tata Motors will launch the much awaited Nano, slated to be the world's cheapest car at less than $2,000, on Monday but it may be the middle of the year before it is seen on Indian roads.

The formal launch comes 15 months after the tiny, snub-nosed car debuted at a glittering world autoshow in Delhi, and is seen as an effort by the leading Indian vehicle maker to meet a deadline it had set to launch in the first quarter of 2009.

Bookings will only be taken from the second week of April, with delivery some time after that.

"It would take at least until July for the cars to be actually on the roads," a sales manager at Mumbai dealership Fortune Cars said.

The car was initially set to go on sale last October, but the main production plant had to be moved to Gujarat on the west coast following land protests in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Only about 50,000 cars will be available in the first year, analysts say, until the 250,000-unit capacity in Gujarat comes on stream.

"We get a lot of enquiries, all wanting to know about the price, the variants available," said an official at Wasan Motors, another dealer.

Tata Motors has provided little details about the Nano to the dealers, but analysts say the cash-strapped company is likely to ask for a deposit of 70,000 rupees on booking.

"There has been a lot of hype created around the car," the manager at Fortune Cars said. "Some are genuine customers, others are just curious."

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

2nd Booster Package

RBI's Monetary Stimulus:
* Cut Repo Rate by 100bp to 5.5%
* Cut Reverse Repo Rate by 100bp to 4%
* Reduced Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 50bp to 5%. CRR reduction is expected to release INR 200bn into the system

Key highlights:
1. Further liberalizing the policy on External Commercial Borrowing (ECB)-
(a) The ‘all-in-cost’ ceilings on such borrowing removed, under approval route
(b) To facilitate housing sector, the ‘development of integrated townships’ would be permitted as eligible end-use of the ECB, under the approval route
(c) NBFCs, dealing exclusively with infrastructure financing permitted to access ECB from multilateral or bilateral financial institutions
(d) FII investment limit in rupee denominated corporate bonds in India would be increased from US $6 bn to US $15 bn.

2. To increase flow of credit to the economy:
(a) An SPV designated shortly to provide liquidity support against investment grade paper to Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) to tune of Rs.250bn
(b) An arrangement with leading Public Sector Banks to provide a line of credit to NBFCs for purchase of commercial vehicles
(c) Credit targets of Public Sector Banks are being revised upward to reflect the needs of the economy and monitor sectoral credits on fortnightly basis
(d) Special monthly meetings of State Level Bankers’ Committees to oversee the resolution of credit issues of micro, small and medium enterprises by banks
(e) Guarantee cover under Credit Guarantee Scheme for micro and small enterprises on loans of Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore increased from 50% to 85% for loans upto 5lakh (that cover 84% of accounts)

3. State Governments will be allowed to raise in the current FY additional market borrowings of 0.5% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), amounting to about Rs 30,000 crore, for capital expenditures.

4. India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL), which has already been authorized to raise Rs.10,000 cr. through tax free bonds by Mar09 for refinancing bank lending of longer maturity to eligible infrastructure bid based PPP projects, is enabled to access additional Rs.30,000 cr by way of tax free bonds once funds raised in the current year are effectively utilized.

5. To support exports:
(a) Restore DEPB rates to those prevailing prior to November 2008 and extended till 31.12.2009
(b) Duty drawback benefits on certain items including knitted fabrics, bicycles, agricultural hand tools and specified categories of yarn being enhanced retrospectively from September 1, 2008
(c) Constitute a Committee under Finance Secretary to look into and resolve issues of procedural delays faced by exporters on a fast-track basis
(d) Line of credit by RBI to EXIM Bank of Rs.5000 crore to provide pre-shipment and post-shipment credit, in INR or USD, to Indian exporters at comp rates

6. Other measures designed to counter recessionary trends:
(a) Exemptions from CVD on TMT bars and structurals, and from CVD and Special CVD on cement are being withdrawn. Full exemption from basic customs duty on zinc and ferro alloys are also withdrawn
(b) GOI will work with State Govts. to encourage them to release land for low income and middle income housing schemes
(c) Accelerated depreciation of 50% will be provided for commercial vehicles to be purchased on or after 1.1.2009 upto 31.03.09.

Proposals for recapitalization of the public sector banks to the order of Rs.20000 crore over the next two years.

2nd Booster Package

RBI's Monetary Stimulus:
* Cut Repo Rate by 100bp to 5.5%
* Cut Reverse Repo Rate by 100bp to 4%
* Reduced Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 50bp to 5%. CRR reduction is expected to release INR 200bn into the system

Key highlights:
1. Further liberalizing the policy on External Commercial Borrowing (ECB)-
(a) The ‘all-in-cost’ ceilings on such borrowing removed, under approval route
(b) To facilitate housing sector, the ‘development of integrated townships’ would be permitted as eligible end-use of the ECB, under the approval route
(c) NBFCs, dealing exclusively with infrastructure financing permitted to access ECB from multilateral or bilateral financial institutions
(d) FII investment limit in rupee denominated corporate bonds in India would be increased from US $6 bn to US $15 bn.

2. To increase flow of credit to the economy:
(a) An SPV designated shortly to provide liquidity support against investment grade paper to Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) to tune of Rs.250bn
(b) An arrangement with leading Public Sector Banks to provide a line of credit to NBFCs for purchase of commercial vehicles
(c) Credit targets of Public Sector Banks are being revised upward to reflect the needs of the economy and monitor sectoral credits on fortnightly basis
(d) Special monthly meetings of State Level Bankers’ Committees to oversee the resolution of credit issues of micro, small and medium enterprises by banks
(e) Guarantee cover under Credit Guarantee Scheme for micro and small enterprises on loans of Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore increased from 50% to 85% for loans upto 5lakh (that cover 84% of accounts)

3. State Governments will be allowed to raise in the current FY additional market borrowings of 0.5% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), amounting to about Rs 30,000 crore, for capital expenditures.

4. India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL), which has already been authorized to raise Rs.10,000 cr. through tax free bonds by Mar09 for refinancing bank lending of longer maturity to eligible infrastructure bid based PPP projects, is enabled to access additional Rs.30,000 cr by way of tax free bonds once funds raised in the current year are effectively utilized.

5. To support exports:
(a) Restore DEPB rates to those prevailing prior to November 2008 and extended till 31.12.2009
(b) Duty drawback benefits on certain items including knitted fabrics, bicycles, agricultural hand tools and specified categories of yarn being enhanced retrospectively from September 1, 2008
(c) Constitute a Committee under Finance Secretary to look into and resolve issues of procedural delays faced by exporters on a fast-track basis
(d) Line of credit by RBI to EXIM Bank of Rs.5000 crore to provide pre-shipment and post-shipment credit, in INR or USD, to Indian exporters at comp rates

6. Other measures designed to counter recessionary trends:
(a) Exemptions from CVD on TMT bars and structurals, and from CVD and Special CVD on cement are being withdrawn. Full exemption from basic customs duty on zinc and ferro alloys are also withdrawn
(b) GOI will work with State Govts. to encourage them to release land for low income and middle income housing schemes
(c) Accelerated depreciation of 50% will be provided for commercial vehicles to be purchased on or after 1.1.2009 upto 31.03.09.

Proposals for recapitalization of the public sector banks to the order of Rs.20000 crore over the next two years.

If paks have mad and crazy people we also have. Mujhe Kashmir Chahiye,

We as a nation have rich heritage, which goes thousand of years back. No other have such long history. from inventing Zero to Nuclear Nation to Chandrayan we have progressed well. We are known for our Intelligence, food, culture, religions, Gods, Education, many countless things.

But somewhere down the line ground realities are far. from 1947 We were attacked many times from China, Pak, many other External and Internal Elements. Our Nation budget goes on increasing to Nations Defense. and our land area goes decreasing. China have their chunk of J&K, which Nehru gave them after loosing war saying this is unproductive land. and again same happened PoK area to Pakistan.

In east, Bangladesh and Ulfa people doing same, many other states have their peace of terrorism. On this Raj Thackrey arrived and made mockery of this Nation. All politician are not less than a mice. all hiding in hole.

We spent morethan 1/4th of our budget on defense than why we are not able to use it. US was also attacked (9/11) but what happened after that we all know-- Afghanistan made in to Ashes. Kuwait (US part II). When US does it, its their self defense and when it happens same with India they suggest us to solve through talks. Are we nutts,

Mine friend rightly said we all Indians are enough, we 1billion power have to just walk over Pak and problem will be solved.

I am Kashmiri (KP), my parents are born and brought up in kashmir, in all my life till now i havent been to kashmir. We are all settled here in Capital. like us many other thousands of kashmiri left J&K for better life of their kids and settled all around India. when we were thrown out no people came to help. we were also Indians then. But were forced to leave land.
This terrorism has made all kashmiris to suffer physically & emotionally.

This Nation is wounded from North to sauth but why we are like this. Why we cannot produce a Leader who have strong Head. We are dented because we forget everything. We desriminate our own fellow Indians thats why our neighbors taking advantage. When Muslims are killed, why we dont think like Indian are killed, when Biharis were beaten why we dont think like indian are Beaten.

This whole lot of politicians who come across as friends when things are running fine and when we need leader for crisis. all Lalus, Shivsenis, youth congress, bajrang dal, rajsena, muslim sena, watever their names are all gone. where are all muslim commitees.
When topic of reservation comes everyone needs pie in it. Politician use it like anything, ask them now.

India is in big growth phase, we will be economic power house, but somewhere down, we are incapable decision making Nation. Why we invite others to scratch us. when this tag of nuclear nation help us. When will 1billion power will be a power, Dr.Kalam vision India 2020 is a still distant Dream.

Why we as Nation act as defensive strategies, why we cant snatch our own land from neighbors. What cordial relationship will do. Lets stop trade with pak, they are in economic crisis, make it bad and worsened. Take steps which dents them.

If paks have mad and crazy people we also have. Mujhe Kashmir Chahiye, If our govt cant do things whats required, than it will be Peoples movement.

Bus ek saal bhool jaaye ki hum Hindu hai ya muslim hai, ek saal bhool jai ki hum North ke hai ya south ke hai, ek saal bhool jai ki kya tera hai kya mera hai

Blast in Delhi, Gujrat, Maharashtra, UP, From Head to Toe of the India we dyeing without doing a thing, atleast die while doing something. Atleast our next generation will live in a sky where their is no smoke.

Hum unko koste hai jinhone azaadi par galat decision liye, kam se kam hamare aane wali peedia to nahi karegi.

We blame our then leaders and people awho took decisions (1947)which today hurting nation, atleast out next genration will not do same.


--- Aditya Kachru

If paks have mad and crazy people we also have. Mujhe Kashmir Chahiye,

We as a nation have rich heritage, which goes thousand of years back. No other have such long history. from inventing Zero to Nuclear Nation to Chandrayan we have progressed well. We are known for our Intelligence, food, culture, religions, Gods, Education, many countless things.

But somewhere down the line ground realities are far. from 1947 We were attacked many times from China, Pak, many other External and Internal Elements. Our Nation budget goes on increasing to Nations Defense. and our land area goes decreasing. China have their chunk of J&K, which Nehru gave them after loosing war saying this is unproductive land. and again same happened PoK area to Pakistan.

In east, Bangladesh and Ulfa people doing same, many other states have their peace of terrorism. On this Raj Thackrey arrived and made mockery of this Nation. All politician are not less than a mice. all hiding in hole.

We spent morethan 1/4th of our budget on defense than why we are not able to use it. US was also attacked (9/11) but what happened after that we all know-- Afghanistan made in to Ashes. Kuwait (US part II). When US does it, its their self defense and when it happens same with India they suggest us to solve through talks. Are we nutts,

Mine friend rightly said we all Indians are enough, we 1billion power have to just walk over Pak and problem will be solved.

I am Kashmiri (KP), my parents are born and brought up in kashmir, in all my life till now i havent been to kashmir. We are all settled here in Capital. like us many other thousands of kashmiri left J&K for better life of their kids and settled all around India. when we were thrown out no people came to help. we were also Indians then. But were forced to leave land.
This terrorism has made all kashmiris to suffer physically & emotionally.

This Nation is wounded from North to sauth but why we are like this. Why we cannot produce a Leader who have strong Head. We are dented because we forget everything. We desriminate our own fellow Indians thats why our neighbors taking advantage. When Muslims are killed, why we dont think like Indian are killed, when Biharis were beaten why we dont think like indian are Beaten.

This whole lot of politicians who come across as friends when things are running fine and when we need leader for crisis. all Lalus, Shivsenis, youth congress, bajrang dal, rajsena, muslim sena, watever their names are all gone. where are all muslim commitees.
When topic of reservation comes everyone needs pie in it. Politician use it like anything, ask them now.

India is in big growth phase, we will be economic power house, but somewhere down, we are incapable decision making Nation. Why we invite others to scratch us. when this tag of nuclear nation help us. When will 1billion power will be a power, Dr.Kalam vision India 2020 is a still distant Dream.

Why we as Nation act as defensive strategies, why we cant snatch our own land from neighbors. What cordial relationship will do. Lets stop trade with pak, they are in economic crisis, make it bad and worsened. Take steps which dents them.

If paks have mad and crazy people we also have. Mujhe Kashmir Chahiye, If our govt cant do things whats required, than it will be Peoples movement.

Bus ek saal bhool jaaye ki hum Hindu hai ya muslim hai, ek saal bhool jai ki hum North ke hai ya south ke hai, ek saal bhool jai ki kya tera hai kya mera hai

Blast in Delhi, Gujrat, Maharashtra, UP, From Head to Toe of the India we dyeing without doing a thing, atleast die while doing something. Atleast our next generation will live in a sky where their is no smoke.

Hum unko koste hai jinhone azaadi par galat decision liye, kam se kam hamare aane wali peedia to nahi karegi.

We blame our then leaders and people awho took decisions (1947)which today hurting nation, atleast out next genration will not do same.


--- Aditya Kachru

Mumbai rocked by terror attacks, ATS chief, 80 Plus killed

Mumbai: Gunfire rang out as commandos and police laid siege to gunmen holding foreigners hostage in two of India’s plushest hotels in the country’s commercial capital on Thursday, after attacks that killed at least 86 people.
Scores of tourists remained trapped in the Taj Mahal hotel, a 105-year-old city landmark, and the five-star Trident Oberoi in Mumbai’s downtown peninsula, its financial and tourist heart.
Small groups of militants armed with automatic weapons and grenades burst into luxury hotels, a hospital and a railway station late on Wednesday, as well as an iconic cafe popular with foreign tourists, firing indiscriminately and tossing grenades.
They appeared to target British and Americans as they sought hostages before settling in for a prolonged siege.
Police said they had shot dead four gunmen and arrested nine suspects. They said 12 policemen were killed, including Hemant Karkare, the chief of the police anti-terrorist squad in Mumbai.
As dawn broke on the red, white and grey brick facade of the Taj on Mumbai’s waterfront, the hotel was surrounded by armed police, ambulances and fire engines, with intermittent firing heard, and flames and smoke still escaping from the roof.
At least two guests, trapped in their rooms in the Taj, phoned TV stations. One said the firedoors were locked, another said he had seen two dead bodies by the swimming pool.
India has suffered a wave of bomb attacks in recent years. Most have been blamed on Islamist militants, although police have also suspected Hindu extremists of carrying out some bombings.
The latest attacks came amid a slew of state elections, including in Kashmir, and could be an embarrassment for the ruling Congress party ahead of national elections next year, as well as potentially destabilising for the country.
In Mumbai, officials admitted the battle was not yet over.
“The situation is still not under control and we are trying to flush out any more terrorists hiding inside the two hotels,” said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra state chief minister.
A Maharashtra state official later told CNN that police had brought the situation under control.
The Mumbai attacks are also bound to spook investors in one of Asia’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Mumbai has seen several major bomb attacks in the past, but never anything so obviously targeted at foreigners.
“I guess they were after foreigners, because they were asking for British or American passports,” said Rakesh Patel, a British witness who lives in Hong Kong and was staying at the Taj Mahal hotel on business. “They had bombs.”
“They came from the restaurant and took us up the stairs,” he told the NDTV channel, smoke stains covering his face. “Young boys, maybe 20 years old, 25 years old. They had two guns.”
Japan’s foreign ministry said at least one Japanese national had been killed and one injured in the attacks, while South Korea said 26 of its nationals had escaped unharmed.
Police said at least 250 people were wounded in the attacks which also targeted the Cafe Leopold, perhaps the most famous restaurant and hang-out for tourists in the city and is featured in the bestselling novel Shantaram.
An organisation calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen said it was behind the attacks, television channels said. The previously little known group sent an email to news organisations claiming responsibility.
Several hundred people had been evacuated from the Taj hotel, one witness said, but many more remained inside, some calling for help from the fifth floor. Firefighters broke windows to reach some trapped guests.

Mumbai rocked by terror attacks, ATS chief, 80 Plus killed

Mumbai: Gunfire rang out as commandos and police laid siege to gunmen holding foreigners hostage in two of India’s plushest hotels in the country’s commercial capital on Thursday, after attacks that killed at least 86 people.
Scores of tourists remained trapped in the Taj Mahal hotel, a 105-year-old city landmark, and the five-star Trident Oberoi in Mumbai’s downtown peninsula, its financial and tourist heart.
Small groups of militants armed with automatic weapons and grenades burst into luxury hotels, a hospital and a railway station late on Wednesday, as well as an iconic cafe popular with foreign tourists, firing indiscriminately and tossing grenades.
They appeared to target British and Americans as they sought hostages before settling in for a prolonged siege.
Police said they had shot dead four gunmen and arrested nine suspects. They said 12 policemen were killed, including Hemant Karkare, the chief of the police anti-terrorist squad in Mumbai.
As dawn broke on the red, white and grey brick facade of the Taj on Mumbai’s waterfront, the hotel was surrounded by armed police, ambulances and fire engines, with intermittent firing heard, and flames and smoke still escaping from the roof.
At least two guests, trapped in their rooms in the Taj, phoned TV stations. One said the firedoors were locked, another said he had seen two dead bodies by the swimming pool.
India has suffered a wave of bomb attacks in recent years. Most have been blamed on Islamist militants, although police have also suspected Hindu extremists of carrying out some bombings.
The latest attacks came amid a slew of state elections, including in Kashmir, and could be an embarrassment for the ruling Congress party ahead of national elections next year, as well as potentially destabilising for the country.
In Mumbai, officials admitted the battle was not yet over.
“The situation is still not under control and we are trying to flush out any more terrorists hiding inside the two hotels,” said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra state chief minister.
A Maharashtra state official later told CNN that police had brought the situation under control.
The Mumbai attacks are also bound to spook investors in one of Asia’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Mumbai has seen several major bomb attacks in the past, but never anything so obviously targeted at foreigners.
“I guess they were after foreigners, because they were asking for British or American passports,” said Rakesh Patel, a British witness who lives in Hong Kong and was staying at the Taj Mahal hotel on business. “They had bombs.”
“They came from the restaurant and took us up the stairs,” he told the NDTV channel, smoke stains covering his face. “Young boys, maybe 20 years old, 25 years old. They had two guns.”
Japan’s foreign ministry said at least one Japanese national had been killed and one injured in the attacks, while South Korea said 26 of its nationals had escaped unharmed.
Police said at least 250 people were wounded in the attacks which also targeted the Cafe Leopold, perhaps the most famous restaurant and hang-out for tourists in the city and is featured in the bestselling novel Shantaram.
An organisation calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen said it was behind the attacks, television channels said. The previously little known group sent an email to news organisations claiming responsibility.
Several hundred people had been evacuated from the Taj hotel, one witness said, but many more remained inside, some calling for help from the fifth floor. Firefighters broke windows to reach some trapped guests.