Before Narendra Modi's Swearing-in, Speculation on his Cabinet

 Narendra Modi, who will be sworn in as India's new prime minister on Monday, has played his cards close, but there is intense speculation about who will join his cabinet.

The BJP is holding a series of meetings to finalise the list. The names of Arun Jaitley, Arun Shourie and Subramanian Swamy are doing the rounds for the Finance Ministry, which has the task of preparing a roadmap to revive the economy.

Mr Jaitley is also being seen as a front-runner for the External Affairs portfolio.

BJP president Rajnath Singh could move to the government to head the crucial Home Ministry. Sources say JP Nadda may replace him in the party.

Sources say Sushma Swaraj could be considered for the Defence or Human Resource Development portfolios.

Ms Swaraj, the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Lok Sabha, is reportedly keen on heading one of the four top ministries - Home, Finance, Defence or External Affairs. These ministers, with the PM, form what is called the Cabinet Committee on Security or CCS.

Venkaiah Naidu is likely to be considered for the Railway Ministry and Nitin Gadkari may be considered for the Urban Development ministry.

Sources say the party's Muslim faces, Shahnawaz Husain and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, could also find a place in the government.

The party is believed to be discussing a distinguished post for its patriarch LK Advani, who has shared a strained relationship with Mr Modi in the past. Sources say Mr Advani may either get his wish to become Lok Sabha Speaker or could be made the convenor of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

The BJP won a massive mandate in the national election, winning 282 seats on its own - a clear majority - and 336 seats with its 29 allies.

Sources say the BJP is also considering berths for its allies. The Shiv Sena, Chandrababu Naidu'sTelugu Desam Party and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party are expecting ministries, based on their good performance in the polls.

The Akali Dal, the BJP's Punjab ally, has said it won't join the central government

IPL 2014 Live Cricket Score, KXIP vs RR: Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson Start Building a Partnership as Rajasthan Royals Push Forward

Rajasthan Royals face a must-win game against the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Friday. A victory for the Royals will assure them of a playoff berth in the Indian Premier League 2014. Catch all the live updates here (Scorecard | Commentary | Schedule |Points Table):

22:40 (IST): Rahane, Samson looking good as they accelerate the scoring rate. Rajasthan 54/1 in 7 overs, Target: 180.

22:30 (IST): Onus now on Rahane and Samson to take Rajasthan forward. Rajasthan 31/1 in 5 overs, Target: 180.

22:21 (IST): WICKET! Karun is gone and Punjab draw first blood. Punjab 21/1 in 2.3 overs.

22:11 (IST): A steady start by Rajasthan as they take five runs off the first over. Rajasthan 5/0 in 1 over, Target: 180.

21:54 (IST): Punjab finish on 179/4. Rajasthan need 180 to confirm a place in the top four.

21:47 (IST): 23 runs of Faulkner's last over and Punjab well on their way to finish big. 169/4 in 19 overs.

21:40 (IST): Punjab set to get a total in excess of 160. Punjab 146/4 in 18 overs.

21:32 (IST): Punjab's innings steaming off thanks to some good bowling by Rajasthan. Punjab 130/4 in 16.3 overs.

21:23 (IST): WICKET! Saha is sent back for 27 thanks to a good catch by Rahane. Punjab 119/4 in 14.4 overs.

21:16 (IST): The match resumes and Miller is off the mark. Punjab 114/3 in 13.2 overs.

21:13 (IST): A good sign is that the covers are coming off at Mohali.

21:05 (IST): Umpires having a brief discussion as the drizzle builds up.

20:57 (IST): WICKET! Marsh departs for 40 and the covers come on as rain stops play.

20:44 (IST): Marsh looking to enjoy himself as he cuts loose. Punjab 82/2 in 9.5 overs.

20:32 (IST): WICKET! Vohra fails to ground his bat and is sent back to 25. Punjab 54/2 in 6.3 overs.

20:19 (IST): Punjab look to get back on track after losing Sehwag early on. Punjab 37/1 in 4 overs.

20:13 (IST): WICKET! Faulkner strikes to remove Sehwag for 18. A vital breakthrough for Rajasthan. Punjab 24/1 in 2.2 overs.

20:06 (IST): Sehwag takes 15 runs of Malik's opening opener. Punjab 15/0 in 1 over.

19:57 (IST): A win for Punjab today would seal them a place in the top two. This means they will have two chances of making it into the final.

19:34 (IST): Rajasthan win the toss and decide to bowl against Punjab. Glenn Maxwell is the surprise exclusion for Punjab while Rajasthan bring back Rahane and Tambe.

A victory tonight, and the Rajasthan Royals will be through to the playoffs. However, it will not be easy to get past the Kings XI Punjab on their homeground. The Kings XI have been the best side in the tournament and to upstage them, the Royals will need a massive effort. They of course have the resources to do that. Punjab will meanwhile, look to consolidate their position at the top and go to the last-four on a high.

Preview: Rajasthan Royals Seek Victory Against Kings XI Punjab to Seal Playoff Berth

As the scramble for the top four positions has set off, Kings XI Punjab have not much to worry even as they look to consolidate their position at the top while a victory for Rajasthan Royals is a must when the two teams clash on Friday.

Punjab, who lost to Mumbai Indians here on Wednesday, are currently on top of the table with 18 points from 12 outings. Rajasthan have 14 points from 12 matches, the same as Kolkata Knight Riders but they are placed third due to slightly better net run-rate. (Read full preview here)

Kings XI Punjab Drifted in the Middle Overs Against Mumbai Indians, Says Coach Sanjay Bangar 

Handed a shock defeat by tournament laggards Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar feels the failure to capitalise on a good start cost his side the Indian Premier League game on Wednesday.

Having set a target of 157, Mumbai Indians won the game comfortably by seven wickets riding on an unbeaten 61-ball 100 by their West Indian import and opener Lendl Simmons.

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference here on Wednesday, Bangar was asked to comment what went wrong for the team, which had nine victories from 11 games before coming in to this match. (Read full story here)

Each Win Motivates Kings XI Punjab Further, Says George Bailey

Having consolidated their position at the top of the points table with their ninth victory in IPL-7, Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey feels every win is vital as it increases confidence and self belief among the players going into the business end of the tournament.

Kings XI defeated laggards Delhi Daredevils by four wickets at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground here last night to take their tally to 18 points from nine wins out of 11 games in the ongoing IPL. (Read full story here)

Rajasthan Royals Don't Rely on a Few Stars, Says Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals mentor Rahul Dravid says his side does not mind being called "underdogs" but their fighting brand of cricket makes them a tough side to beat in the Indian Premier League. Dravid, who led the team to the playoffs last season, said his side's stress has been to assign clear roles for each player and try to execute plans on the field.

"If you look at our team on paper, you would call us underdogs ... because we don't have those stars. But we don't mind the tag. It does not bother us anymore. We know every team is a good team and we have to perform. We don't think too far ahead," Dravid said. (Read full story here)

Pak PM Nawaz Sharif Keen on Attending Modi's Swearing-In, No Decision Yet: Sources

 Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is keen to come for Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony on Monday but is weighing all options, sources told NDTV today. 

Mr Modi will take the oath as Prime Minister after his BJP scored a landslide victory, securing the first majority by a single party in 30 years.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Afghan president Hamid Karzai are among seven world leaders who have confirmed that they will attend the oath ceremony.

Invitations were sent to all heads of government from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Mr Modi will hold individual meetings with the leaders the day after his inauguration.

Top sources in Pakistan say Mr Sharif may be under pressure from hardliners in the Pakistan security establishment to decline. If he doesn't come, Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz is likely to represent the country.

Mr Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif could also be a representative. She today seemed to be in favor of this trip, tweeting "I personally think cordial relations with new Indian govt should be cultivated. Will help remove psychological barriers, fear & misgivings. (sic)"  

Mr Sharif's media advisor Tariq Azim said Mr Modi's invitation was a "bold and an unexpected" move. "Mr Sharif does not share the anxiety that is felt by some quarters here in Pakistan because he has got some very fond memories of the previous BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee coming to Lahore and he hopes that this anxiety about Modi and his past will fade away," Mr Azim told NDTV.

But Mr Sharif's dovish stance is reportedly not shared by Pakistan's army, which has recently made tough statements on the Kashmir dispute. Army chief Raheel Sharif had recently described Kashmir as the "jugular vein" of Pakistan.

After his own election last year, Mr Sharif's administration had suggested that the Indian PM be invited to attend his inauguration ceremony, but Manmohan Singh had declined.

Mr Modi's move signals a big shift in his party, the BJP's position on Pakistan. While campaigning for the general election, Mr Modi attacked the Congress-led UPA government for what he called a "stagnated" and "weak" foreign policy....!!!!

“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
 For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
 For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
 For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. 
 People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
 As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

“This life is what you make it.No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth.

“This life is what you make it. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soulmate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”